Scottish Ministers have revised their pay offer to NHS staff in a bid to head off strike action.
Workers would receive a flat rate sum of £2205, which would translate as a 11 per cent rise for the lowest paid, if the offer is accepted.
UNISON, a trade union that represents the health service workforce, is in the middle of strike ballot on NHS pay.
They have recommended their members vote for industrial action and the postal ballot closes on 31st October.
The Scottish Government has now tabled a fresh offer that is weighted to staff at the bottom.
The Government claims the £2205 rise would result in rises of between 5.41 and 11.32 percent for the majority of staff on Agenda For Change pay rates.
By contrast, a staff member on £65,530 would receive a 3.6 per cent rise, while someone earning £112,673 would be in line for a 2 per cent uplift.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf been criticised over the dispute.
Wilma Brown, Chair of UNISON Health Committee, said: “This offer is an improvement and the trade unions have agreed to think it through. We are sharing the details with NHS staff right now as they will decide whether this offer is good enough.
"UNISON Scotland’s Health Committee will meet on Wednesday to fully consider the detail of the offer and agree the next steps. UNISON believe that a flat rate offer will help all staff meet at least some of the cost-of-living crisis we are all facing.
“In the meantime, we are still urging all UNISON members to vote for industrial action in our postal pay ballot which closes on 31 October.”
Yousaf said: “I am grateful to trade union colleagues and NHS employers for constructive discussions on pay. This has been another exceptionally challenging year for our health service and we have a difficult winter ahead, but I am pleased that we are able to recognise the service and dedication of our healthcare and support staff with this pay offer.
“We owe NHS staff a debt of gratitude for leading us through the greatest public health crisis in recent history.
“This improved pay offer – which is the largest of its kind since devolution - reflects their hard work and will go a long way to help them through the cost of living crisis. We are rightly focussing the biggest increases for those who are the lowest paid, as we know the cost crisis is impacting them disproportionately.”
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