"Mum quits NHS pension to pay soaring bills before dying leaving orphaned kids penniless"

Hat tip Daily Mirror on this awful story of NHS Cleaner Judith Thorpe, who cancelled her pension due to rising bills and then later died from Covid last month. She was a widow supporting her 16 and 13 year old children.

Since she cancelled her pension to pay the bills, this meant that her children lost out on its life assurance (and also a possible monthly payment until they finish full time education).  

Many workers do not realise that their pension also provides life assurance and with public sector pensions, income protection for dependents. 

Low pay and high inflation will mean many workers will be tempted to cancel their pensions but I always urge union members to be aware of possible consequences. 

In the local government pension scheme, it is possible to reduce your contributions by 50% but still retain full life assurance benefits (but obviously your income when you retire is reduced). This is a last resort but if you have no choice but to reduce outgoings then this is something to think about. 

We so desperately need a Labour Government in power to protect people from such misery. 

Newham Voices - September 2022 (Three Mills Tragedy)

 

Just read the latest edition of the excellent Community newsletter https://newhamvoices.co.uk/. The article on page 11 on the "tragic story of heroism at the Three Mills Distillery" was really informative. The "Helping Hands Memorial" at the site, is where Newham trade unionists and Labour Party members have met in recent years to mark "Workers Memorial Day" which takes place every 28 April. 

Table Mountain walk (South Wales)

I have had a busy summer walking wise but have not posted on many of the great walks that Gill and I have been on recently. This 5 mile circular Pathfinder walk from Crickhowell, South Wales was marvellous. Quite tough on a hot summer day but the views from the top was well worth it. 

Will post more pictures on Facebook - and link.

West Ham Labour informal social - good to meet up again

 

Picture from an informal social of West Ham CLP members that I happened to have in my phone's contact list. Apologies for those I missed out on the invitation. Let me know for next time. 

There was about 25 members who came and went. As you would expect for August, I had a number of apologies from members on their holidays. 

 It was really nice to meet up again after so long (first Covid and then the suspension of the Newham CLPs for membership irregularities & other matters)

We will meet up next month (and Labour Party conference?) in a restaurant or for a BBQ? 

I think that apart from it being so nice to meet socially, everyone is aware that there could be a general election announced in the next couple of weeks (unlikely but probably sooner rather than later). 

West Ham CLP use to be able to send scores and scores of experienced teams of canvassers to London and other Labour Party marginals during past General Elections. We have to win the next General Election, whenever it happens and we need to mobilise and organise our activists to get out there and campaign for a Labour victory. 

"Topping out" at Leather Gardens, West Ham

 

I know Councillors love having their picture taken in hard hats and hi-vis (even if they don't always fit that well) but I really enjoyed this "topping out" the other week with the Mayor laying the final brick.

But the main reason for my pleasure was that this new block of 100% Council flats at social rents is in my ward. This land had been boarded up and unused since way before I became a local Councillor in 2010. While this development will not solve the massive housing crisis in Newham it is a much welcome start. 

Wedding of Anika with Naim

I was honoured to be a guest this evening at the wedding of the eldest daughter Anika of my Newham colleague, Cllr Abul Bashar Syed (also a fellow Union activist with the CWU) and Mrs Niheli Syeda (Shemoli). 

It was a lovely meal and great to meet up with so many friends and colleagues to celebrate Anika and Naim's wedding. 

On my table there was a number of interesting guests such as Billy Hayes, former General Secretary of the CWU with whom I had a conversation about the religious origins of Everton FC (he is not a supporter but put to right a theory that a Uncle had once told me).

I will be asking Syed about how we can in Newham offer solidary support for the forthcoming CWU strikes. 

Many thanks to the staff of the City Pavilion for looking after us so well. 

How would Labour's energy plan help you?

 

No tax breaks for millionaire and instead help everyone? 

Pledge yes to the nhs

The government won’t move on NHS pay, from Thursday, tell your NHS staff in England to pledge yes and show them we’re serious. www.NHSpay.org

UNISON activist: Solidarity with St Monica strikers

 

Care staff announce new strike dates over pay, says UNISON

Workers at St Monica Trust plan 48-hour walkout and two-day strike in August

Care workers, registered nurses and residential home staff employed by Bristol-based St Monica Trust will take further strike action next week, said UNISON.

Staff at the Russets and Sherwood care home in Sandford, North Somerset, will walk out for 48 hours from 7am on Tuesday 16 August, while workers at Cote Lane in Bristol will launch a two-day strike from Friday 19 August.

The new dates follow five days of action in June and July over fire and rehire threats and cuts to pay.

Weekend rates will be slashed for senior care workers by 21% under the plans, while other staff are being asked to take a 10% hit to their salaries, UNISON says.

The union says striking staff also face a 50% cut to sick pay and reductions in working hours after bosses imposed unpaid breaks during shifts.

Several health and safety concerns have been raised by UNISON with St Monica Trust. These include the recruitment of agency staff who will not be familiar with the specialist needs of residents.

Issues raised by staff at other homes run by the Trust include trainee nursing associates being used in place of qualified nurses, and residents left without hot water for a week.

UNISON South West regional secretary Joanne Kaye said: “St Monica Trust has been asked repeatedly by UNISON to meet for talks but the charity simply refuses. It’s been over four months since they came to the table.

“Many staff don’t know if they’ll be able to feed their families as the cost-of-living crisis bites. Slashing wages and threatening employees is not the way to keep experienced, committed workers.

“Throwing cash at agency staff who do not know the ropes or the residents is a dangerous tactic.St Monica Trust must put residents and staff before balance sheets.”

Notes to editors: 
– Care staff employed by St Monica Trust took part in five days of strike action and staged pickets outside care homes in June and July across South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Bath and North East Somerset. The action took place on 29 June and 2, 5, 10 and 11 July.
– Proposals from St Monica Trust include cuts to hourly rate, cuts to sickness absence pay and cuts to working hours. 
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

UNISON urges caution over new pension scheme (collective defined contribution)

 

UNISON is 100% right to be careful about this new "CDC" (Collective Defined Contribution Scheme) however, it should not be seen as a replacement for decent existing pension schemes but a realistic option for the so many workers in the UK, who have rotten, inadequate and completely unsecure pension provision. 

"Government’s new collective defined contribution pension scheme could help some public service workers, but shouldn’t erode the pensions of others.

UNISON is urging caution after this week’s announcement by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that it is launching a new UK pension model.

The UK government seeks to introduce collective defined contribution schemes as an alternative to the UK’s current two primary pension scheme models – defined contribution and defined benefit.

The new scheme is a result of the Pensions Schemes Act that was passed in 2021.

UNISON sees defined benefit schemes as vital in providing decent pensions for many public service workers. However, millions of public service workers – including UNISON members – are not eligible to join such schemes and are dependent on defined contributions schemes instead.

The union has negotiated with employers in these sectors and has successfully brought about a number of relatively high-quality defined contributions schemes for members in recent years.

UNISON head of pensions Glyn Jenkins said that caution was needed when employers consider any changes to existing pension arrangements. “These new pension arrangements must not erode current provision,” he commented.

“UNISON supports improving member outcomes through the introduction of collective defined contribution for members in defined contribution schemes, but the new schemes should not be used to replace viable defined benefit schemes.”

Mr Jenkins pointed out that, on the basis of the union’s experience, many defined contribution schemes will not provide an adequate income for their members.

This is for a number of reasons, including, “woefully inadequate levels of contributions – especially from the employers – and charges on investments.”

He continued: “Collective defined contribution schemes should improve the position for members in defined contributions schemes. Even though such schemes do not guarantee benefit levels, they do set a target benefit level that may be reached.”

Posted on
4 August 2022