PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2014 :: RMTnews 21 I f you are already a trade union activist or would like to become involved in pensioner campaigns now you are retired why not get involved in a RMT retired members branch? With the setting up of a Scotland retired member branch earlier this year there are now 13 branches throughout most regions. Branches are involved with local issues as well national and international campaigns. Many of these campaigns are coordinated alongside the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) which the union is affiliated to. The NPC does excellent work in fighting for pensioner rights and campaigning on the behalf of the most vulnerable in society. RMT member Ron Douglas was elected NPC president in 2012 and believes that l retired members should get involved. “Almost every day a politician, think tank or media pundit declares that the problem with society is that there are too many older people and we simply can’t afford them. “An ageing population – something which we should celebrate – is portrayed as an expensive burden. “Not only is this factually incorrect, it is a dangerous and divisive stance to take. “Since 2010, older people have seen pensions weakened through the use of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), cuts to Pension Credit for those on low incomes, a cut and freeze to the winter fuel allowance despite over 31,000 pensioners dying of cold related illnesses in 2013, a freeze on personal tax allowances and over £1.6bn worth of cuts to social care services. “Yet the richest in society have had a five per cent tax cut so the unfairness we see isn’t therefore between young and old, but between the very wealthy and the rest of us. “Pensioners also contribute well over £40bn every year more than they receive in pensions, benefits and health care. All older people pay indirect taxation, and 4.5m still pay income tax. “Thousands of charities and voluntary groups would simply close down if older people did not step in to help and millions of families rely on grandparents to provide much needed free childcare. “All this helps our society and shows how older people are an asset,” he said. RMT believes that older and younger people actually share concerns about the need for good quality public transport, affordable and suitable housing and the age at which someone can retire. The NPC is also stands alongside today’s workers in their struggles, and calls for the generations to unite in defence of our welfare state and public services. Ron says that the challenges we face are considerable. “The state pension remains one of the worst in Europe and around one in six older people continue to live in poverty. “The majority of pensioners actually don’t have an income high enough to pay tax and are living on something around £10,500 a year. “Universal benefits such as free bus travel and winter fuel allowances are now being threatened by all the major parties – and yet one of the reasons we have these additional benefits in the first place is because our state pension is so inadequate. “Remember intergenerational solidarity is something worth fighting for,” Ron said. To campaign effectively on these issues we need the support of all ages. RMT branches can affiliate to the NPC for £25 or individuals can become Friends of the NPC for just £5 a year. If you would like to get involved with your nearest RMT Retired Members Branch you should contact the RMT Pensions Officer Paul Norris at p.norris@rmt.org.uk or 020 7529 8806. The NPC can be contacted at: email info@npcuk.org or visit www.npcuk.org or NPC Walkden House, 10 Melton Street, London NW1 2EJ. CALLING ALL RETIRED MEMBERS