UNISON Scotland gives a cautious welcome to NHS England Pay deal

21st March 2018

UNISON Scotland has offered a cautious welcome to news that the NHS UK Staff Council have reached agreement on a modernising pay deal for NHS England and is calling in the Scottish Government to enter into talks with NHS unions in Scotland urgently.

Tom Waterson, Chair of the UNISON Scotland Health Committee said, "The NHS England deal is welcome, but it is a matter for our members in England. The additional money from the UK Treasury gives us the opportunity to craft an agreement which is suitable for Scotland and it is important that the Scottish Government grabs that opportunity."

Commenting on the delay to the pay uplift expected by 1st April, Tom added, "Any moves to negotiate a Scottish deal won't happen quickly and Scottish NHS workers deserve a pay rise now. UNISON is calling on the Scottish Government to respond to the UNISON pay claim and implement an anti austerity pay rise across NHS Scotland with immediate effect."

The Department of Health England proposal has been underpinned by a significant investment from the UK Treasury which was, with additional money flowing to the Scottish Government via the Barnett Formula.

Matt McLaughlin, Head of Health for UNISON Scotland said, “There is a lot that is welcome in the proposal tabled by the UK Staff Council. NHS workers in Scotland will now be looking to the Scottish Government with an expectation that hard working, loyal UNISON members in Scotland are no worse off than their colleagues in England or other devolved nations. The onus is on the Cabinet Secretary and the Scottish employers to meet UNISON and sister unions urgently in order to begin discussions on a similar deal for NHS Scotland.”