Lanarkshire nurses have been urged to accept a new pay deal by the country’s largest health union.
More than 50,000 health workers across the country have begun to vote on the Scottish Government’s final pay offer – with UNISON recommending its members accept the offer.
UNISON says it is recommending the offer to members as it believes it is the best that can be achieved through negotiation.
The union states that the final pay offer would increase the NHS pay bill in Scotland by over £500m and an average of 7.5 per cent.
It would see bands one to four receive a flat rate payment of £2205; bands five to seven receive pay increases ranging from £2280 to £2660; and band 8A receive a five per cent increase.
Wilma Brown, chair of UNISON Scotland’s health committee, said: “We have decided to recommend this offer to our members, as we believe it’s the best that can be achieved through negotiations. It will go some way to helping NHS members with the cost-of-living crisis.
“However, as we have said to the Scottish government, there’s a huge amount of work to do to get our NHS back to being world class again. This must be the start of the reforms and investment needed to get the NHS back to full health.”
Matt McLaughlin, UNISON Scotland’s head of health, added: “Our digital consultative ballot will launch today and run for two weeks. Our branches and activists will be encouraging members to accept this final offer.
"However members decide to vote it is important they have their say and we’re urging members to make sure they vote before noon on December 12.”
However, members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have voted to strike with the result of its ballot confirmed earlier this month.
RCN general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen said: “Anger has become action – our members are saying enough is enough.
"The voice of nursing in the UK is strong and I will make sure it is heard.
“Our members will no longer tolerate a financial knife-edge at home and a raw deal at work.”
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