Nurses and midwives, as well as many other NHS Scotland workers have agreed to a pay deal for two years.
Yesterday, 60% of Royal College of Nursing members accepted the 8.2% offer after 80% of midwives, maternity care assistants and other nurses had agreed on Tuesday (13th May).
The Unite trade union members who work for the estates, ambulance service, medical management, scientists and porters as well as those in the theatre have accepted the offer of 4.25% pay for 2025-26, and 3.75% pay for 2026-2027.
This deal includes an inflation guarantee. It means that pay increases will at least be 1% higher than the Consumer Price Index. The total package is expected to cost PS701million in 2024-25.
The Scottish Government, NHS Scotland, and trade unions have also agreed to reduce the full-time work week by one hour and half, to 36 hours. This is in accordance with the commitment made during the 2023-24 wage settlement.
The RCN anticipates that the RCN will pay backdated salaries to 1 April 2025 in July salary and increase salaries for 2025-26 in June salary.
Julie Lamberth is the chairperson of the RCN Scotland Board. She said: “I’d like once again to thank our members for their participation in the consultation. You voted again in large numbers. We still believe that it is best for you to decide, and we have heard what you had to say. In order to determine the next step, we need to understand your feelings about pay offers.
“A significant majority of you rejected the offer. This shows your continued frustration and concerns about the nursing shortage facing Scotland’s NHS. Many of you have questioned their futures in nursing due to the constant pressure and lack of recognition on the NHS. We will continue to argue to the Scottish Government that fair pay is needed to address the link between low wages, staff shortages, and patient safety.
Neil Gray, Scottish Health Secretary, said that this is a solid two-year offer of pay, which has been agreed after constructive engagement with union representatives. The pay will be guaranteed to stay above inflation. This gives staff added comfort and ensures that Scotland’s NHS, nurses and midwives receive the highest salaries in the UK. “I want to thank Scotland’s dedicated healthcare staff for all their hard work.”
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said: “Unite members in NHS Scotland accepted the offer of a two-year pay deal on the basis that it was the best possible bargain. It’s an agreement that helps us to create better jobs, pay, and conditions for NHS workers.
Jaki Lambert said that the Scottish government should value the work of the Royal College of Midwives director in Scotland.
“Unfortunately, our colleagues in the UK are still in limbo about their pay awards this year. In a sense, we’re relieved to see that members in Scotland have their pay increased sooner rather than later.”
Zoe Wickens, Additional Reporting
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