UNISON Scotland recommends NHS staff accept Scottish government pay offer 

UNISON, Scotland’s largest health union, is to ballot its members on the Scottish government’s NHS pay offer. 

If accepted, the offer would see the majority of Scotland’s health workers receive an average of 6.5% increase on pay as well as a 1.5% one-off payment.

UNISON Scotland’s health committee met this week to consider the pay offer and has recommended members vote to accept the pay deal. The consultative digital ballot will open tomorrow (Wednesday) and close at 12pm on Friday, March 17. 

Commenting on the recommendation Wilma Brown, chair of UNISON Scotland’s health committee, said: “After the Scottish government’s lengthy delays in settling last year’s pay claim, we’re glad they have honoured their commitment to enter into early pay talks. 

“While pay is undoubtedly a big issue, the ongoing pressures created by the staffing crisis are at the forefront of our members’ minds and are fuelling their frustration. After careful consideration, UNISON’s health committee is recommending members accept this offer and that we get the pay into people’s pockets as soon as possible. However, the fight around staffing levels and fair reward for hard working NHS staff continues to be our priority.”

Matt McLaughlin, UNISON Scotland’s head of health, said: “This pay offer would see the majority of Scotland’s health workers receive a one-off payment of at least £387 plus at least a 6.5% pay rise. This means that over two years, UNISON has secured pay increases of over 14% for registered nurses and almost 20% for the lowest paid in the NHS. As always, it will be our members who will decide whether to accept this offer. 

“As Scotland’s largest health union, we welcome the commitment to review the agenda for change terms and conditions – after 20 years it is long overdue. The Scottish government’s commitment that this review will focus on recruitment, retention and reward for UNISON members in the NHS represents a real opportunity for us to influence positive change and work towards bringing the NHS back to full health.” 

ENDS 

Notes to editors 

UNISON’s health committee is made up of NHS workers from every health board in Scotland.

UNISON is the largest union in the NHS representing 50,000 NHS workers across Agenda for Change including: nurses, midwives, managers, domestics, porters and admin workers. The union has membership in every health board in Scotland. Agenda for Change (NHS terms and conditions) cover most health workers in the NHS apart from doctors and dentists. 

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