This year, the Scottish government has made a new salary proposal to NHS staff, including nurses, midwives, and paramedics. Unison and Unite have already accepted the offer, which is valued at approximately 7.5% on average. Nonetheless, the Royal College of Nursing Scotland (RCN) remains contested.
The Scottish government has pledged an additional $568 million to the 2023/24 offer made to 160,000 NHS Scotland employees on Agenda for Change contracts. This will result in a one-time payment between £387 and £939 based on banding, in addition to an increase of at least 6.5%. For instance, experienced porters will receive more than £3,750 in additional compensation (19.1%), experienced healthcare support workers will receive more than £4,000 in additional compensation (15.5%), and experienced advanced nurse practitioners will receive more than $5,900 in additional compensation (12.0%).
Unison has welcomed the new offer and will begin member consultations beginning next week. RCN Scotland stated that its board of directors would examine the offer in depth. Health Secretary Humza Yousaf stated, “This ensures that NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland are by far the best compensated in the United Kingdom.” Wilma Brown from the health committee of Unison added: “Employees of the NHS were justified in their anger that the government took so long to settle their pay claim from the previous year. It was crucial to secure a commitment not to delay negotiations for the upcoming fiscal year.”
The Scottish government has offered NHS employees in Scotland a pay increase of between 5.4% and 19.26%, or between £3,753 and £6,506. Unison, which represents a greater proportion of lower-paid NHS employees and which has already withdrawn the threat of strike action, has welcomed the offer but will continue to consult with its members about the terms. The Royal College of Nursing and two other unions have a strike mandate, but have agreed to put this on hold pending negotiations on the 2023 offer. This agreement would result in a 6.5% wage increase for charge nurses, a one-time bonus payment, and a review of working hours.
Today is an important day for NHS employees in Scotland, as the Scottish government has made a new pay offer for this year, despite the fact that some unions are still disputing last year’s deal. Unison has accepted the offer and will begin consulting with members beginning next week, while RCN Scotland’s board members will examine the offer in depth. If accepted, the offer could result in a one-time payment between £387 and £939 based on banding, in addition to a minimum 6.5% increase. This would make the NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland the most highly compensated in the United Kingdom.
Currently, strike action has been suspended pending the conclusion of negotiations on the 2023 offer. Unison has welcomed the new offer but will continue to consult with its members regarding the deal, whereas RCN Scotland has stated that its board members will examine the offer in depth prior to making a decision. This offer could result in a 6.5% salary increase for charge nurses, in addition to a one-time payment and a review of working hours. It also applies to paramedics, nurses, midwives, and porters, but not to doctors or dentists whose salaries are negotiated at a national level in the United Kingdom. Soon, junior physicians will also consult on the possibility of strike action.
