Protest over pension age

Ambulance workers, members of the GMB union, staged a protest outside the Department of Health last month, demanding that their pension age be brought in line with those of the police, firefighters and the armed forces. The GMB is campaigning for its members to have their retirement age reduced to 60 in line with other emergency services.


In a recent survey of GMB ambulance members, almost 99% said the job will be too demanding for them to carry out properly when they hit their retirement age of 68.


The vast majority (96%) don’t think they will be able to continue in their current role until their pensionable age. 


A almost all (99%) think that their job will be too demanding (physically and mentally) the older they become, while 88% think there will not be the opportunity for redeployment if they are unable to continue in their role.


Rachel Harrison, GMB national officer, said: “Our members work desperately hard saving lives — but they just can’t keep it going until they are 68.


“They know it’s impossible and could risk the lives of their patients.”


She said many fear they will be forced to retire early, taking a reduced pension and ultimately being in a poorer medical condition than the people they are treating.


“It’s not fair on our life-saving ambulance staff and the government must review the situation,” Harrison said.”


https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/department-health-protest-over-dangerous-ambulance-working-age