NEWS - A key update from the latest meeting of RCN Council

We wanted to write to you to tell you about the latest development on the issue of NHS pensions, following a key meeting of RCN Council.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve received a huge amount of feedback from members telling us what they think on the issue. There have been a significant number of members who feel that the RCN should ballot on industrial action, and we have listened to these concerns. Similarly, there have been members who have expressed genuine anxiety about industrial action, and were keen for us to continue negotiations with the Government.

Following many hours of discussion, we are now able to share with you what was decided today.

RCN Council unanimously decided that they will authorise a ballot on industrial action in January, if negotiations fail by the end of December. 

Council decided that members' serious concerns over the proposals must be addressed in a credible way through negotiations – so we will continue to work to influence the proposals, making them fairer for all members, not just those retiring in the next ten years.

It’s important to note that these negotiations won’t take months, they’ll take place over the next few weeks – so things are moving very quickly.

Council did not take these decisions lightly and they are some of the strongest ever taken by the RCN.

We have already begun active preparations for a ballot and these will continue in earnest. We will also still be helping our members to show their support for the Day of Action on the 30th November.

If you haven’t yet registered your interest to take part in events on the Day of Action, do it now. 

We will, of course, update you in due course.

Thank you,

Dr Peter Carter - Chief Executive & General Secretary

Prof Kath McCourt - Chair of RCN Council