UNISON, the biggest union in the NHS, will consider the Scottish government’s offer of a 5.5% pay rise for staff, says the union today (Tuesday).
Despite the delay in the government’s announcement, UNISON says its health committee will meet on Friday (23 August) to consider the offer with a view to launching a consultation in the next few days.
The new pay offer is for all for all NHS Agenda for Change pay rates and would be backdated to 1 April 2024, when the pay rise was due.
UNISON Scotland’s lead on NHS pay Matt McLaughlin said: “It’s a shame it’s taken this long for NHS staff in Scotland to receive a pay offer. Finally, workers will have the opportunity to decide whether to accept or reject the proposed raise, which is in line with wage lifts in many other parts of the UK.
“NHS staff were due a pay rise five months ago, and making them wait for so long is deeply unfair. This delay cannot be repeated at the next pay round. The Scottish government must recognise that dithering on pay directly affects staff morale.”