District nurses working for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde have today won their long-running dispute on pay and grading after threatening strike action, says UNISON today (Friday)
The employees had taken on increasing responsibilities as they delivered medical care in the community over the past few years and wanted this reflected in their pay.
They recently voted overwhelmingly to strike in support of their demands. Now their health board has agreed to move the district nurses up a pay band on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale.
They will also receive back pay to May 2022 to compensate them for work already undertaken.
UNISON will formally consult staff about the settlement, with a recommendation to accept the offer.
UNISON Scotland regional organiser Lorcan Mullen said: “This is a major victory. The unity and tenacity of the district nurses has ensured they are being paid fairly at the correct rate, with millions of pounds in back pay.
“It comes after years of frustrating delays, breached processes and broken promises. This wouldn’t have happened without taking the difficult decision to strike after they figured enough was enough.
“Staff have finally been given the respect, recognition and pay to reflect their essential roles and the care they give to the community.”
Notes to editors:
– District Nurses at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde will now move from band 6 on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale to band 7, with back pay to 1 May 2022.
– Staff were balloted by UNISON in October, with 96% saying they were prepared to strike.
– The dispute involved a number of unions. UNISON was the first to consult district nurses on industrial action and win a strike mandate following a formal ballot.
– UNISON is the largest health union in Scotland representing over 60,000 NHS staff in Scotland including nurses, midwives, call handlers, paramedics, administrators, allied professional staff, caterers, porters and facilities staff.
Media contacts:
Lorcan Mullen M: 07903 853116 E: L.mullen@unison.co.uk
Lorcan Mullen M: 07903 853116 E: L.mullen@unison.co.uk
Stephen Low M: 07956 852822 E: S.low2@unison.co.uk