Unite has today (Friday 26 March) responded to the Scottish government’s pay offer of 4 per cent across the board for all NHS workers.

Unite represents workers in every pay band across the entire NHS structure and recognises that while this offer will put money into the pockets of our members, any monthly pay uplift will vary considerably between individuals. For this reason Unite will be putting this offer to our members without recommendation.

The offer includes an opportunity to revisit any settlement including an intention by the Scottish government to allocate additional funding through Barnett Consequentials. Unite will demand that any additional payment made to the Scottish government by Westminster through this formula, is passed on to our members.

Reacting to the offer, Unite regional officer James O’Connell said: “Workers across the NHS have been described as ‘heroic’ in what has been an exceptionally challenging year. Now is the time to reward those workers with the pay uplift they deserve, not just for their work during the Covid pandemic, but also for the pay cuts they have endured through years of austerity.

“This offer will be put to Unite members in the coming weeks. It is down to them how they respond to this offer. Is it enough? That is for them to decide. For Unite, other pay potential remains on the table in the form of additional Barnett Consequentials and we will pursue any additional pay that is intended for our members through further negotiation with any future Scottish government.

“We are also calling on prime minister Boris Johnson to stop talking up health workers on one hand while holding on to the millions he promised for the NHS during the Brexit campaign.”

Unite will ballot its members on the offer over the next few weeks.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  • Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Pat Rafferty.