Negotiators for the NHS trade union UNISON have today signed off four papers with NHS bosses making key recommendations to modernise pay and conditions for NHS workers. These have now been sent to the Secretary of State for Health Michael Matheson. The union is calling on the Scottish government to deliver these improvements quickly.
The papers were agreed at a joint union and employer meeting today (Wed) They focussed on three elements agreed as part of the 2023/24 pay settlement; protected learning for staff, reducing the working week and a review of band 5 nursing, with a further paper which looked forward to modernising core pay for NHS staff.
Matt McLaughlin, Head of Health for UNISON Scotland said:
“The NHS in Scotland avoided strikes this year because Government offered to modernise terms and conditions. Working with the employers and sister unions, UNISON have put forward three papers which will see the implementation of a reduced working week, guaranteed time for training and a review of band 5 nursing roles. Working together we have also drafted a paper which if implemented in future pay deals would modernise the pay structure.”
Wilma Brown, Chair of the UNISON Health Committee said:
“Last year’s pay deal included a commitment to modernise key areas of the NHS pay system. Staff voted for that and now the Scottish Government must deliver on the agreement.
Michael Matheson needs to respond quickly by committing to fully implementing these proposals and finding the budget to support a significant modernisation of NHS pay in Scotland.”
Notes for editors
The proposals were agreed at todays meeting of STAC – NHS Scotland terms and Conditions committee. STAC is made up of an NHS employer side and a trades union and professional representative organisation side, who each have their own secretariat.
Details of last years pay deal can be found here: