NHS PAY BALLOT IS CLOSED.
A message from Wilma Brown, chair of UNISON Scotland’s health committee
“Thank you for your patience and support for this year’s pay campaign.
I can confirm that our most recent ballot has closed, with results as follows:
57% of UNISON members who voted, voted in favour of accepting the offer.
UNISON Scotland’s Health Committee met today to endorse our members’ decision and UNISON will now meet with other NHS unions to discuss how we proceed to conclude this year’s pay claim.
It is our objective to have this money in members’ pockets as soon as possible but because the Scottish government were slow in moving forward, it is not going to be possible (due to payroll processes) to get the money into your account before Christmas.
If it had not been for the resolve of UNISON members and local branches, the Scottish government would never have found the additional money for this pay deal.
Whilst the flat rate payments go some way to helping our members with the rising cost of living, this is not a win for government it’s a warning. It was far from a unanimous decision and many NHS professional grades feel badly let down by this government.
The Cabinet Secretary has secured himself a pause in our members’ anger; he needs to use the next pay round to radically resolve understaffing, low morale and pay. We would encourage you to speak to your local branch or steward to get involved in UNISON’s campaigns.
Thanks for all you do for UNISON and the NHS.”
What does this pay deal mean for you?
This final pay offer has increased the NHS pay bill in Scotland by over £500m and average of 7.5%.
It would mean salary bands 1-4 receive a flat rate payment of £2,205, and salary bands 5 to 7 get pay increases ranging from £2,280 to £2,660. Band 8A would get a 5% increase.
NHS pay increases would range from 11.24% for the bottom of band 2 to 5.56% for the top of salary band 7.
Your ballot email
You are being asked to vote again in a consultative digital ballot
Please look out for this ballot email, it’s vital you vote from Monday, we need to know what you think. Don’t leave it to others to make this decision. And while your health committee are strongly recommending you ACCEPT this offer, whatever you think, make sure you vote.
We appreciate you have been asked to vote a few times over the past few months. However, UNISON is a democratic union. Our members make the decisions.
If UNISON health members vote to ACCEPT this pay offer we will work to get your back pay into your pay packets as soon as possible.
Thanks again for everything you do in our NHS and for your union.
Why is UNISON is recommending voting to accept?
This is the best offer that can be achieved without prolonged industrial action. It is also a final offer. UNISON is a democratic union so it right we ask members decide. It is also right that UNISON health committee show leadership and give our members their recommendation.
However, in the end it is up to UNISON members whether we accept this offer.
UNISON is listening to members who are angry about pay, we do understand their frustration. We also know the massive problems in the NHS for both staff and patients. UNISON will continue to campaign for reforms and investment in the in Scotland NHS. We are already doing the preparatory work for next years pay claim.
But we have to be honest, there is no more money available, our negotiators believe they have squeezed every penny we can out of the Scottish government.
We should also remember what we have achieved.
We have increased pay bill by over half billion pounds and retained benefit of flat rate for low paid, we fattened offer for middle – professional grades and re-secured minimum 5% for 8a and embeds overtime for band 8 and 9. We also have improved fuel allowance for people who drive for work. And created a minimum wage in the Scottish NHS of £11.09 (the UK NMW is set to be £10.42 from April 23)
This offer builds on previous UNISON wins on Scottish NHS pay – we now have a situation where some NHS workers in Scotland are more than £2500 better off than their UK colleagues.
It is important that ALL members vote – yes we want you to vote for this offer and get money into wages as soon as possible – but you have to vote – don’t assume the result and don’t leave it to anyone else.
CAMPAIGN RESOURCES