Healthcare workers in one of Scotland’s largest unions have voted to reject a pay offer.
Members of Unison opted to knock-back a deal from the Scottish Government for an across the board pay rise of £2,205 – estimated at an average increase of seven per cent.
Union officials are now considering the next steps, having been consulting members on strike action before the new offer was made.
Chairman of Unison Scotland’s health committee, Wilma Brown, said: “Our members have voted in their thousands and their message is loud and clear - the Scottish Government’s pay offer just isn’t good enough.
“Ministers need to understand the anger of health staff who are working in an under-funded, under-staffed NHS. These are unprecedented times and NHS staff are struggling to make ends meet.
“This should be a massive wake-up call to the Scottish Government. They need to come back to the negotiating table with an improved offer or prepare themselves for the first strikes in the NHS since devolution.”
Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf, expressed disappointment at the move, claiming the offer made sure “the lowest paid receive the highest uplift”.
He said: “I have always stressed that dialogue is essential and I reiterated my commitment to ongoing discussions to avoid strikes to trade unions just last week.
“The pay rise on the table for NHS Scotland staff would be the largest since devolution – benefiting more than 160,000 employees it would mean NHS Scotland nurses would remain the best paid in the UK.”
Ambulance staff in the GMB union have voted to strike over pay on November 28 and the Royal College of Nursing is also planning a walkout.
