Society of Podiatrists - Industrial Action Letter

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.

I have long since felt that the societies journal (Society of Podiatrists) have not given a fair representation of the members views on the above subject. I have recently had a letter published and received a reply from the Chief Executive. Both of these are to be found in the April edition of the journal. I have made a reply but feel that the journal will not be printing it. I have therefore taken the liberty of printing word for word their reply to my first letter and have inserted my response. Therefore the three letters have been attached to this post.

What are the other forum members views on this?

Original Letter - "Strike - Original Letter.doc"

Society Reply - "Reply From Chief Executive.doc"

My Latest Response - "Reply to Strike.doc"

 

Hi Colin,

I read your letter and the reply and just wondered at the CE making the most out of bad stats regarding returns of voting papers etc - and then shrugged and thought 'What's new?'

I am in Private Practice and was incensed when I heard the Society giving forth to all the media saying that Pods would be on strike. A number of my clients phoned and asked if their appointments were to be cancelled.

It's a shame that the hierachy or the SCP don't actually get off their backsides and smell the roses and realise that there are a hell of a lot of people in PP and also a hell of a lot who work in the NHS who did not want to strike.

As far as I am concerned ..... the SCP do NOT speak for me and when they state that they are politically 'neutral', I wonder how they can be so proud of picket lines and want photo's etc?

Excellent letters to them and I hope they publish your second letter and that this provokes response.

Best wishes

Nick

 

Hi Nick

Thanks for the reply.


So happy there is someone else out there with similar views.


I was beginning to think I was on my own.


You seem to be the only one!


best wishes

Colin:bang:

 

Colin

My partner is not a Podiatrist but went on strike on 30 November 2011.

When we commenced work back in 1985/86, salaries were not too substantial but the pension promises were good and a retirement at age 60 seemed very realistic on this basis. It seemed a worthwhile proposition at the start of ones career.

In 1989 I'd had enough of working for the NHS and moved into Private Practice. I was a chiropodist back then but I seem to have metamorphed into a podiatrist in the meantime. My private pension payments are worthless. I own my own property which houses my practice so hopefully this will help the shortfalls - swings and roundabouts.

But my partner? The poor soul is told that due to improving healthcare the likelihood is for longevity - great; in reality this means older for longer. Retirement is scheduled for 68 and having had a totally crap salary for x number of years as a sacrifice for a reasonable and an early pension I can totally understand the reasons for joining the peaceful and good humoured picket line on that sunny but cold day in November. I cannot see either of us being "fit for practice" much beyond 65 according to HPC standards. Two separate professions, both regulated by the HPC. Thank God I can cut toenails....

No matter what, the team which accommodates my better half made sure the work was covered. Those on strike were on stand by to go back into work should a crisis have occurred or the remaining staff could not cope.

Why has my partner remained in public sector employment? There isn't a private alternative and for whatever reasons remains totally focused on service provision.

Our own Professional Body has to support its members. 54% of those eligible to vote responded. That is over half. So what is Council supposed to do? Involve those who are not eligible to vote? Given my scenario you may have been surprised by the outcome....

I am sorry Colin, I believe that our Council made the right decision and I support that decision even though I have been in the private sector for 23 years.

GB

 

Hi George,

My problem with the 54% is not with the percentage but with the total who voted!

Look at how many of us are private...

how many voted??

lies , damned lies and statistics all over again

Best wishes
Nick

 

Hi Colin,

Oh no I have similar views!! I have never been on strike and never intend to!

I left a job in the 70's as I didn't agree with it and am unlikely to now.

Thsi is definitely a case of 'lies, damned lies and stats'. I don't agree with it and I hate even the thought of belonging to a 'trade union' in the disguise of a 'Society'

Am I wrong in thinking that the 'society' is a 'union' ....as by their actions they support under pathetic percentage a strike?

They 'lobby' Parliament yet do nothing to forward the progress of our expertise and seemingly back the title of 'chiropodist' whilst ignoring the fact that NO profesional qualification exists for Chiropody and that all degrees are for Podiatry?

Trust me George - you are not the only one !!

Best wishes

Nick

 

Nick

Are you a member of SCP?

GB

 

George you make a good case.

However Governments changing the rules is not a unique situation.

In reality the proposals are not retrospective, so all employees have been given the chance to make alternative provision for their future.

You highlight that your 'personal pension' is at the whim of market forces, crap in it but that is the ****e we have all been sold.

Civil servants stinking has no effect on their employee it only inconveniences the service user their pay masters.

Underpayment of civil servants is arguable, the latest proposals of non national wages will really screw the debate.

In reality a nice civil service post is a bit cushty, lots of time to divert ones efforts to 'invest in more risky ventures'?

 

George,

Yes I am.

Nick

 

Thanks Nick,George and Joe for your ongoing threads.

The bottom line is I do not think the 'pension pot' that was promised exists. I don't believe it has been spirited away to someone else.

The worst case scenario would be redundancies if industrial action gains momentum.

The sad fact is we will have to work longer, pay more contributions and get a useless pension. If more money for pensions is found it has to come from somewhere.......ie peoples jobs.

Lastly, and sorry to go back to the figures. Of ALL the NHS staff balloted only 54% replied.17% of those voted against and the other 46% did not vote at all. Moreover, as Nick says, what about representing the opinions of all those of us in private practice who were not even asked?

So no, more than half did not vote for a strike.

Thanks again for all your replies and I do sympathise with all different views.

regards Colin

 

Hi Colin,

Seems like the Government departments (for a nice change) are confused too. They have just sent me a letter saying I have to work til I am 66 before I draw my state pension as the date relevant to me is 7 months AFTER (?) my 65 birthday??

I am still steeling myeslf to make 'that' call or considering upping my blood pressure tabs before doing so

Take care all

Nick

 

as the dispute was between NHS staff and their employers why would the opinions of private practitioners be relevent ??

 

I didn't strike. I agree that we're collectively in the soft and brown and I'd rather lose my pension than my job. If they don't screw the money out of the pensions they'll screw it out of somewhere else.

That said, the majority of members voting voted to strike. Can't really see how that is failing to represent the views of the membership. I think they were wrong, but I can't fault the SCP for how it acted and one cannot assume those not voting are de facto in the "don't strike" bracket.

 

Whilst not being a member of the SCP I make no comment on that part of the thread
BUT

That may be how you feel at your age Rob, I have had my Pension funds raped by the last government and this one, my assets in property have all been deemed to be second homes and are subject to the new 40% tax when I sell them ( Thank you Vince Cable may you rot in hell for this:butcher. The capital gain was supposed to make up the short fall in the pension.

I have paid tax into this country for 49 years never been out of work brought up a family run a business and am still working as is my wife and will have to continue because we havent got the years left to get over this one. I have never asked anyone for anything and tried to look after our old age and had my trousers taken down and had a proper stuffing on this the last hurdle before retirement:bang:

So Rob let just hope you dont get what you wish for when your my age.
Cheers
D

 

Didn't say losing your pension was a GOOD thing. But it is compared to losing your Job. When you're 45 like you and a bit nearer retirement than me the pension is the bigger deal. At my age and with a young family, redundancy is the bigger worry! And make no mistake, people in the public sector are being made redundant left right and centre!

 

I'm sure you will tell me there is logic in your reply Rob but how you equate losing your job against losing your pension at my age as different I dont know. They both equate to loss of income

You have the years in front of you to get another job or start your own business or or or...whatever.

I dont have that luxury anymore, I either continue to work, or have a fixed income ,which will mean in a couple of years it will be hand to mouth retirement as the government push up taxes and the cost of living and not forgeting quantitative easing ( another name for devaluing the £) which makes my pension fund worth even less,whilst I await the "brass handles"

Cheers
D

 

In that case WHY should they go to the press and say that Podiatrists will be on strike!

Actually we do count. We do matter. They should be a little more circumspect about what they pass onto the press and therefore stipulate that maybe this ONLY refers to NHS Pods.

Nick

 

I can't see what the fuss is about?! The SCP is there to support both NHS and private practitioners. If the majority voted for industrial action, then that is where the SCP 'loyalties' (for want of a better word) should lie ... end of story.

Personally, I support the SCP in this instance. However, I feel the real issue goes a bit deeper; namely, the renewed promotion of the 'free market' and the removal of State support for things such as health and benefits (including pensions).

I, like the majority of voters, didn't vote in all the changes that are currently happening - they are a greater concern than whether the SCP supports industrial action IMHO. I much prefer the Scandanavian way of how a government should support its country. In that, I would rather pay increased taxes (that should be proportional, according to your income) to ensure there was less inequality (e.g. health provision and pensions). Then, perhaps, people may not need to resort to industrial action in order to get their voices heard?

Industrial action and protests usually happen when people are not being heard (or, rather, listened to).

 

it was perfectly clear in all the press coverage i saw that the dispute was between the government and it's employees

do the NUT make a big thing of highlighting the fact that the likes of Eton and Harrow are not involved when the teachers go out??.....and if they did would the press report it ??