NHS staff have been offered a "final" improved pay offer by the Scottish Government following days of negotiations with trade unions.
Humza Yousaf said a newly qualified nurse would see a wage rise of 8.7 per cent as a result of the deal - while other staff would get 7.5 per cent more on average.
The offer will mean front line workers will receive pay rises ranging from £2,205 to £2,751 if union members vote to accept them. For the lowest paid this represents an uplift of 11.3 per cent.
Unions representing a variety of health service professions had balloted for industrial action in recent weeks as a result of the long-running row over pay.
A work-to-rule due to begin tomorrow by GMB and Unite members of the Scottish Ambulance Service has been called off as a result of the offer.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said they would "consider" the deal - but described it as not meeting their members' expectations.
Yousaf said: "We have engaged tirelessly with trade union representatives over recent weeks, leaving no stone unturned to reach an offer which responds to the key concerns of staff across the service.
"This best and final pay offer of over half a billion pounds underlines our commitment to supporting our fantastic NHS staff. A newly qualified nurse would see a pay rise of 8.7 per cent, and experienced nurses and would get uplifts of between £2,450 and £2,751.
"We are making this offer at a time of extraordinary financial challenges to the Scottish Government.
"We have made the best offer possible to get money into the pockets of hard working staff and to avoid industrial action, in what is already going to be an incredibly challenging winter. If the offer is agreed this pay uplift will also be backdated to April.
"Finally, I would urge the UK Government to get back to the negotiating table with the unions. This settlement has been shaped by the unions’ constructive approach and I hope it is backed by their members."
James O’Connell, Unite lead negotiator for NHS Scotland, said: "Unite believes that the improved offer deserves to be considered by our members across the NHS. We will be balloting members on this offer and it is for them to decide if the offer meets their expectations.
"We appreciate the work on all sides, that has gone into achieving this new offer and recognise the direct involvement of the First Minister in helping to obtain an increased offer that could be put to our members for consideration."
Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser, said: "GMB is clear that staff must be valued better if government wants to recruit and retain the people needed to tackle the chronic understaffing crisis across NHS frontline services.
"And better value in the pay and conditions of NHS staff will also mean our hard-pressed members have a greater chance of confronting the cost-of-living crisis this winter and beyond.
"The reality is this offer remains below inflation for the vast majority of staff, but it requires our members consultation given the additional monies tabled by the government.
"Whether our members believe it goes far enough to merit acceptance is another matter entirely after a decade of cuts to pay and services, and over two years on the frontline response to Covid.
"Strikes scheduled for this Monday in the ambulance service will now be suspended to allow consultations to take place, although strike mandates already secured remain protected."
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