NHS Pensions Ballot – Make your vote count before 27 April
BAOT members can have their say on NHS pensions in a UNISON ballot open until 27 April, with Julia Scott saying the following: "The consequences of this vote affect Occupational Therapists working in the NHS across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As BAOT’s Secretary I encourage you to make your views known and strengthen the voice of BAOT members in this ballot. It is absolutely vital that you vote and that the result reflects your views.
BAOT members to be balloted on NHS Pension Scheme
BAOT members will have their say on NHS pensions in a UNISON ballot in April. The ballot will be take place between 11 and 27 April and will apply to BAOT members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It does not apply to Scotland where negotiations are continuing.
Members will be asked if they accept or reject the government’s final offer on the NHS Pension scheme and to consider the consequences of rejecting the offer. The consequences, to be detailed on the ballot paper, will include a commitment to further and sustained industrial action.
NHS pensions – UNISON to ballot members over proposed final agreement
UNISON is set to consult its members on a proposed final agreement on the NHS Pension Scheme, following lengthy negotiations between UNISON, Government and NHS Employers. The final proposals will be put to UNISON’s health service group executive meeting on 21 March, before moving to a ballot, expected in April.
The final proposals do not apply to Scotland, where health minister Nicola Sturgeon is due to meet trade unions later in the month to discuss pension reform for staff in Scotland.
BAOT member benefits: UNISON membership
In joining BAOT you get two memberships for the price of one, with membership of UNISON also included (with the exception of those overseas or working in private practice) as they provide our industrial relations support.
UNISON membership offers with it a range of services, support and benefits, so keep this in mind and make the most of your membership!
Members’ ballot planned as pension negotiations continue
BAOT/COT Council has given UNISON's negotiators the go-ahead to continue pension negotiations on BAOT’s behalf. UNISON are the in the final stages of negotiations on the government’s proposals for NHS pensions, with the heads of agreement to be completed within the next few weeks. A full ballot of UNISON’s membership will consult members on whether they wish to accept or reject the final package, advising members that if they reject they would need to take part in immediate and sustained industrial action.
Occupational therapy staff turn out to strike over pensions
Occupational Therapists and support workers stood shoulder to shoulder with public sector colleagues on 30 November, to stand up for their pensions. Over 20,000 British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) members from across the UK took part in UNISON’s Day of Action to highlight their concerns over the proposed changes to pensions which could mean people will have to pay more and work longer, for less.
Band 8b Head Occupational Therapist
Job description
Applying for a ‘Non-Traditional’ Role - Some Points to Consider
Increasingly, Occupational Therapists are being encouraged to consider taking on ‘non-traditional’ roles. The NHS and local authorities employ the majority of occupational therapy staff, however the College of Occupational Therapists (COT) has been considering how the profession can do more to expand into other areas of society including community settings such as schools, vocational rehabilitation centres, hospices, residential homes and prisons, as well as the independent sector.
