UNISON Scotland recommends yes vote in NHS pay offer

Scotland’s biggest health union, UNISON, has today (Mon 25 June) agreed to recommend that members accept a pay deal which is worth at least 9% for NHS workers across Scotland over three years.

The union, which represents 60,000 health workers who are covered by the NHS Agenda for Change agreement, will now ballot members recommending they accept the deal, which was negotiated in Scotland between unions, employers and the Scottish government.

The main elements of the deal are:

  • All NHS Scotland staff earning under £80,000 to receive a 3% pay rise backdated to 1 April 2018 with a payment of £1600 for staff earning more than £80,000,
  • The top of all pay scales to rise by 9% over the lifetime of the 3 year deal (incl 2018) or £1600 p.a. for scales above £80,000,
  • Larger increments and faster progression for staff in post, but not yet at the top of their pay band, worth between 11.3% and 27.7%,
  • Removal of band overlaps to ensure promotion comes with a proper pay rise and to lessen the risk of equal pay challenges,
  • Big improvements in the starting salaries to help the NHS attract and retain new staff,
  • Applies to all NHS contractor staff.

Chair of UNISON Scotland’s health committee, Tam Waterson, said:

“This is not a perfect deal and it does not go the full way to recovering the losses incurred by health workers during more than a decade of austerity and pay cuts. But it puts money in our members’ pockets now so that many will reach the agreed rate for the job faster than they would have done with current pay arrangements.

“UNISON is Scotland’s largest health union and has led the way on NHS pay, campaigning and lobbying around our Scrap the Cap and Pay Up Now campaigns. UNISON is now leading the way in recommending this deal to our members – the best that can be achieved by negotiation – which is the result of our members’ hard work.”

UNISON’s ballot will open on 16 July and close on 14 August 2018.

For further information:

  • Willie Duffy, UNISON Scotland regional organiser for health, on 07904 342 129
  • Tam Waterson, chair of UNISON Scotland’s health committee, on 07753 627 575

or visit our website at www.unison-scotland.org