MEMBERS of Scotland's largest public sector union have voted to accept the Scottish Government’s 4% pay offer for most NHS workers.
Unison had campaigned for the previous three-year deal to be renegotiated in light of the pandemic.
In March, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman set out the pay rise of at least 4% for staff with contracts under the Agenda for Change system.
Almost 50,000 Unison members were balloted on the proposal and 35% voted, with 84% accepting the pay deal.
Union officials say they will now push for the deal to be implemented as soon as possible.
READ MORE: Dua Lipa’s Brits call for NHS pay rise sparks UK Government response
Unison’s head of health Willie Duffy said: “This pay rise represents a fair increase for our members and means the majority of our NHS staff will receive a pay increase of at least 4%, which will be backdated to December.
“The fact that 84% of those who took part in the ballot voted in favour of the pay offer shows how much this pay increase means to our members.
“Scotland’s health workers go above and beyond to keep our NHS services running – not just during the pandemic but each and every day – and we’re delighted to have secured them a fair pay increase.”
READ MORE: Covid in Moray: Jags to be offered to over-18s to fight Covid spread
Tam Waterson, chair of Unison’s health committee, said: “Through our negotiating and campaigning, Unison managed to bring talks with the Scottish Government forward from June to March.
“We negotiated a fair offer that is weighted towards the lowest paid workers in the NHS.”
The news comes after GMB rejected the deal, saying health workers are worth more.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel