Page added on December 21, 2011

British Pensions & Trade Union Action Association

British Pensions & Trade Union Action Association (BP&TUAA)
“To promote and defend the interests of pensioners in their struggle for a living wage in retirement”

The British Pensioners & Trade Union Action Association is the original national organisation for retired trade unionists, formed in 1971. Its funding came from the trade unions, also practical and financial assistance by giving us office space in which to work and auditing our books.

There already existed pensioners social and luncheon clubs. Whilst acknowledging the important of social meetings for pensioners this new pension association would be different.

A campaigning body was needed if justice for retired workers/future pensioners was to make any headway.
In order for this new body to be totally independent it would be free of government funding and not of charitable status.

Its emphasis was and is on active campaigning.
It enables those retired trade unionists to stay involved and utilise their experience in a new struggle – a living wage for themselves, today’s pensioners and for the new generation of pensioners.
For all pensioners groups with the urge to fight injustice.

In the late 1970’s the Trade Union Congress established the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) supported by the BP&TUAA whose members saw the need for an ‘umbrella’ organisation to bring together all pensioner groups.

Over the years the BP&TUAA has lost much of its financial and practical support from trade unions transferred to the NPC.
We are still a voluntary association relying on affiliations from retired members sections, trade councils, pensioners groups and of course individuals: pensioners and workers.

In 1979 the link to earnings was removed plunging millions of pensioners into continuing and increasing poverty, forcing pensioners groups to question their position.

We firmly believe there is a need for our organisation to continue. Especially as more pensioners are frustrated and impatient with governments who listen but ignore the main need of millions of pensioners in Britain. This has been the experience of pensioners going back to the beginning – in the late 1880’s.

Over recent years direct action has been taken by individual groups.
The BP&TUAA considers direct action to be the way forward but it needs to be coordinated throughout Britain. We see direct action as a continuation of trade union activists who took strike action in the past.

In the light of our past history we hope trade unions will reconsider support for the BP&TUAA.

The British Pensioner – our journal is read by many trade union members, other groups and individuals and is as much respected in the trade union movement.
We encourage all Trade Unions and branches, TU Councils, trade union retired members groups, pensioners groups and individuals to order copies, and to send letters or articles for consideration by our editorial team.

BP&TUAA Exhibition – History of the State Pension “No Thanks to Lloyd George”
29 laminated posters showing the story of betrayal for past, present and future pensioners.
This is available to trade union retired members groups and all pensioner groups, together with a speaker if required.

“We’re No Fools”
In 2009 the BP&TUAA decided April 1st should be our national day – we produced t-shirts carrying this slogan and to include any direct action decided by individual groups of campaigning pensioners.
Over the years stopping the traffic has been very effective. This was continued on April 1st 2010 and we hope to build in this event year on year. On April 1st 2011 we held a public meeting in Conway Hall. Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell were two of the speakers.

These are our main campaigning points;

1) Year on year the State Pension is shrinking – today’s workers will suffer more.
2) Final salary pensioners offer no security – only the State Pension offers security.
3) Full State Pension for all women now – regardless of contributions.
4) Restore the link with male average wages – or prices, whichever is higher.
5) The Government own actuary states – there at billions of pounds more than required in the fund.
6) Pensioners paid in all their working lives – the state pension is deferred wages.
7) End all means testing we don’t want handouts – we want what is ours by right.
The State Pension should be – above the governments own poverty level.
9) Pensioners demands – a Living State Pension now.
10) All Governments take note – 11.5 million pensioners have the vote.