Royal College of Nursing members recommended to accept pay offer
Other health unions have also welcomed the latest offer from the Scottish Government
Members of the Royal College of Nursing will be urged to accept the Scottish Government’s latest pay offer when a consultation opens later this month.
The offer, described by the Scottish Government as the largest pay package in the history of the NHS, will see 160,000 NHS staff – including nurses, midwives, paramedics, allied health professionals, porters and others – will be offered an average 6.5% increase in pay in 2023/24.
It will also include a one-off lump sum and a review of the current pay structure.
The RCN is to open a consultation to members on Tuesday 28 February, closing close at 9am on Monday 20 March.
RCN Scotland says offer will make "a positive difference to members"
Members employed on an NHS Scotland Agenda for Change contract will be asked to vote to accept or reject the Scottish government's new pay offer, with the RCN Scotland Board recommending to members that they vote to accept the offer.
Julie Lamberth, Chair, RCN Scotland Board said:
“It was our overwhelming mandate for strike action from RCN members in Scotland that forced the Scottish government to commit to further negotiations. The pressure from RCN members has been instrumental in keeping negotiations going with Scottish government and the RCN needed to see this process through in good faith.
“We have considered the offer from the Scottish government which includes a pay increase and a review of Agenda for Change and how it works for nursing. We believe it will make a positive difference for our members which is why we are recommending they vote to accept the offer.”
Colin Poolman, RCN Director, said:
“It will be up to our members to decide whether, overall, the new offer meets their expectations. If accepted by our members, the provision in the new offer for the review of the Agenda for Change pay structure provides a clear path for reform. If our members reject this new offer our mandate for strike action still stands and we will look to announce strike dates.”
Offer welcomed by other health unions
The offer is also being welcomed by the Royal College of Midwives and Unison, with both unions set consult members.
Jaki Lambert, RCM Director for Scotland, said: “I have been encouraged that the Scottish Government has come forward and engaged with unions in good faith to recognise and address the issues facing midwives, MSWs and their colleagues. They have put an offer on the table which gives the RCM and its members much of what we have been asking for around pay and working conditions. This has come about because of the determination and readiness of our members across Scotland to take a stand for themselves, but also for better care for women, babies, and families. They made their voices heard and the Government has listened.
“The RCM and other health unions have been negotiating hard to reach this point. Our members will now decide whether this offer is one they accept or reject.”
Chair of UNISON Scotland health committee Wilma Brown said: “NHS workers were rightly angry that it took government so long to settle last year’s pay claim. That’s why securing the commitment not to delay talks for the coming pay year was so important.
“It’s good to see that the government has listened and come forward with an offer for next year, a good few weeks ahead of 1 April. The union will begin its consultation with NHS members as soon as possible.”