Public and Commercial Services Union

Four times a year we publish a national newsletter to all associate & retired members, usually posted to members with a copy of PCS view, the PCS magazine.

The latest edition can be downloaded on this page, and you can also view a sample of some of the items in this issue below:

• The pensions fight goes on 
• Long-term care

  ARMs newsletter January 2012

If you would like a copy of the magazine in an alternative format, please contact laure@pcs.org.uk

The pensions fight goes on

The 30 November action was a fantastic show of strength as public sector trade unionists and pensioners around the UK came together to show the government how strongly they felt about attempts to cut the value of public sector pensions.

Associate and retired members were out in force around the country supporting members on picket lines, speaking at rallies and carrying banners. PCS wants to thank those ARMs members who supported the day of action.

The PCS pensions campaign is not only about pensions for active members but also about current pensions in payment, public sector, private sector and state pensions.

Pensions indexation

Despite rumours to the contrary the chancellor’s autumn statement announced that public sector pensions will increase in April by the September consumer prices index figure of 5.2%. The RPI figure used in the past would have been 5.6%.

The High Court case PCS took to challenge the change from RPI to CPI was unsuccessful but PCS lawyers are hopeful that an appeal would be successful.

In the meantime discussion is taking place to add items such as household maintenance and buildings insurance to the consumer price index by early 2013 to make it a more realistic measure of costs to pensioners.

À For more information about the campaign see the Fair Pensions booklet.

  Fair pensions for all pamphlet

Long-term care

A personal view from ARMs assistant secretary Peter Wood

Eileen Chubb was invited to speak at an ARMs Greater London meeting. Eileen had worked in the care industry and witnessed first
hand examples of vicious and sometimes sadistic treatment of residents in care homes. She became a ‘whistleblower’ and was persecuted for her efforts by her workmates and employer.

She also found resistance and obstruction from some of the institutions that should have been protecting the rights and lives of those residents in care homes who are incapable of protecting themselves.

Eileen now heads a charity that monitors the activities of nursing homes throughout the country. Her visits are unannounced and anonymous and she is regularly disturbed by what she observes. Some residents are still being treated inhumanely, even brutally.

Eileen’s charity has been campaigning for legislation to specifically address the crimes being perpetrated in some care homes; the objective being to deter such behaviour and to sanction those who persist. The recent Equality and Human Rights Commission investigation tells a similar story.

The majority of homes are acceptable or better but there is room for improvement. It is in everybody’s interest to have care homes well regulated; any one of us may have to depend on professional care during old age and we need to be assured that we will be treated with consideration and respect.

The Dilnot Commission reported in July 2011. It was forecast that there would be a recommendation that there should be an upper limit to the fees that a patient should be expected to pay and that the taxpayer should take responsibility for the rest.

The cap suggested was between £25,000 and £50,000 for someone with severe needs, for many residents that can represent less than 18 months care. There is still the prospect of having to sell ones home to pay for care.

What can I do?

Be observant

If you already visit a friend or relative in care, take a good look around during your visit. Are the staff attentive and caring? Are the residents encouraged to take part in or observe activities and do they look contented? Are there unreasonable restrictions on visiting times? Is there a friendly atmosphere where if necessary, you would be prepared to live?

Plan ahead

If you have to arrange for a relative or friend to be accommodated in a care home, do your own inspection beforehand. Visit without prior appointment and visit as many homes as you can. Also, visit what you consider to be the best home(s) several times at different times of day. This will give you a feel for the different types of activity, differing staff groups and how consistent is the quality of care.

Write to your MP

If you observe bad practice, contact your council and your MP. Write to the press but do make your report accurate to avoid the possibility of libel. You may even be able to correct a relatively minor worry by having a quiet word with the management of the home. If the authorities are bombarded with complaints from all directions, just maybe they will begin to listen and take action.