Unite confirms it will ballot NHS members on improved pay offer
Trade union suspends NHS action following new pay offer

Unite the union can confirm today (24 November) that following extensive talks involving the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, the Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf, NHS Scotland and the trade unions, a new increased pay offer has been formally put on the table.

Unite can confirm that the substance of the new offer is such that it will be put to members in a consultative ballot.

The work to rule due to take place from tomorrow (25 November) within Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) will now be suspended. Unite will hold a consultative ballot of all of its NHS membership on the offer which it aims to complete by 12th December.

Unite can confirm that the new offer includes increase in pay from the previous offer particularly from band 5 to 8a.  It also includes a commitment to reduce the working week from 37.5 hours to 36 hours with no loss of pay.

Unite estimates that through negotiations trade unions have been able to secure around an extra £172m for NHS workers since the first offer was received in the summer.

James O’Connell, Unite’s lead negotiator for NHS Scotland, has welcomed the new offer, and the commitment made by the health secretary, he said: “Unite believes that the improved offer deserves to be considered by our members across the NHS. We will be balloting members on this offer and it is for them to decide if the offer meets their expectations.”
“We appreciate the work on all sides, that has gone into achieving this new offer and recognise the direct involvement of the First Minister in helping to obtain an increased offer that could be put to our members for consideration.” 

Pat McIlvogue, Unite regional officer in SAS said: “The suspension of our action short of strike within SAS is done in good faith to facilitate a Consultative Ballot of our members on the Scottish Government  improved offer. We await the outcome of the ballot result for our next step.”

ENDS