Industrial action could take place after NHS Scotland reject a five per cent pay offer from the Scottish Government
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More strike action could be on the cards as two Scottish unions ballot their NHS Scotland members over industrial action.
GMB's members working for NHS Scotland rejected a Scottish Government offer by an overwhelming 97 per cent because of both pay and conditions.
The result follows an extensive consultation of members over whether to accept or reject a five per cent “final offer” tabled by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in June.
GMB is now urging the Scottish Government to improve the pay offer, particularly for the lowest paid, as joint trade unions in NHS Scotland meet today to discuss the outcomes of their consultations and to prepare plans for statutory industrial action ballots.
GMB Scotland Organiser Karen Leonard said: “GMB members have sent a clear message that government must do more to help them confront the cost-of-living crisis and avoid the prospect of more NHS staff slipping into working poverty this winter.
“More of our members are affected by debt, fuel poverty and hunger, while soaring inflation and energy bills means the real-terms value of this pay cut will get bigger with each passing month – there’s no doubt this crisis is turning into a catastrophe for many frontline staff and their families.
“If the Minister wants to recruit and retain the people desperately needed to help our NHS recover from the peril it is in, then he must value these key workers better and particularly those in the lowest pay grades, who do not receive the biggest cash increases under this offer.
“However, if these hard truths are not recognised and confronted then industrial action affecting NHS services looks inevitable in the months ahead.”
In addition UNISON has announced today that it will officially ballot its 50,000 NHS members in Scotland over pay. The ballot will open on 3 October.
The announcement comes as UNISON confirmed the results of it's digital consultation on pay. A consultative ballot is the first stage of the process toward industrial action. To take strike action the union must now run a postal ballot.
In a letter to the First Minister the union confirmed that 83 per cent of its members had voted to take industrial action over pay after a government offer of five per cent increase across the board.
Wilma Brown, chairwoman of UNISON Scotland Health Committee said: “UNISON members have spoken loud and clear. They worked flat out during the pandemic and were promised so much by politicians and yet when it comes to the crunch our domestics, caterers, porters and other low paid members are only worth an extra £900 per year.
"Our members in nursing were offered less than £1500 whilst senior managers are offered more than £5000 in the same pay deal. So much for all staff being valued equally.”
Matt McLaughlin, UNISON Scotland head of health, called on the First Minister to intervene and avoid strikes. He said: “This is the first time since devolution that NHS workers have been balloted for strike over pay, the First Minister must step in now to ensure that UNISON members get a fair deal on pay and that we avoid the need for workplace stoppages as we approach the winter.”
• To read the letter to the First Minister visit the union website.
