NHS staff are angry that their annual pay increase has not materialised, says UNISON

1st April 2022

UNISON, Scotland's health union, will tell Scottish Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf NHS staff are angry and disappointed that the pay rise they were due on 1st April has not materialised - when the minister speaks at their national conference today (Friday)

UNISON members say they are particularly angry as workers are facing unprecedented cost of living increases.

In an emergency motion the conference will also call on UNISON to mobilise a campaign to demand that health workers in Scotland secure a pay offer which meets their needs and is backdated to no later than 1st April 2022

UNISON submitted a pay claim in March 2022 along with other unions, which calls for the Scottish Government to make a significantly above inflation pay rise to address rising fuel and household costs; planned tax and national insurance increases; and to recover lost earnings due to years of real terms pay cuts.

Wilma Brown, chair of UNISON Scotland health committee said: "NHS staff are having to meet increased travel to work costs, increased rent and mortgages, increased food bills and massive increases in costs for fuel to heat their homes. The delay in even beginning negotiations for this year's pay deal is just not acceptable. For the Scottish Government to suggest the delay is because of the Covid pandemic is insulting, NHS staff have had to prioritise the pandemic over their own families. The least they could expect was that the Scottish Government would prioritise their pay."

Matt McLaughlin, UNISON Scotland head of health said: "Our politicians and health boards have not missed a media opportunity to talk up the world class care provided by our NHS workers. However, the NHS workforce in Scotland is in crisis - we desperately need a plan to keep dedicated, but exhausted staff, in the NHS.

UNISON have submitted a pay claim calling on the Scottish Government to make a significantly above inflation pay rise to address rising fuel and household cost and the planned tax and national insurance increases; and to recover lost earnings due to years of real terms pay cuts. We urge the Scottish Government to get around the table as soon as possible so we can hammer out a deal."