NHS staff in Forth Valley are being urged to boot out the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government in an ongoing argument over pay.
Unison Scotland, the country’s largest health union, is set to launch a consultative ballot in the coming weeks to formally put the offer to their members, after completing discussions with health workers across hospitals and community health settings all over the country.
The union is recommending its members to reject the offer following those talks, prompting the potential for future strike action among health staff.
The pay offer from ministers would say NHS workers offered a five per cent pay rise for staff, with the union claiming that the increase would see senior managers at the top pay grades earning an increase of around £5,500.
But an entry level nurse or occupational therapist would see their pay jump by only £1,300 and those on the lowest end of the pay scale would see an increase of around £1,000.
The consultative ballot is described as the ‘final stage’ ahead of industrial action up to and including strikes.
Wilma Brown, chair of Unison Scotland’s health committee, said: “NHS staff are angry. They see bills going through the roof and feel the Scottish Government should be doing more to support them with the highest inflation in living memory.
“Having listened to the anger there is amongst the NHS staff, Unison will recommend that our members reject this offer. We will run a consultative strike ballot in the coming weeks, and demand that the government look at the amount offered and the way the financial envelope is distributed.
“Unison stewards have spent the last few weeks walking the wards and departments within hospitals and health care areas, speaking to their members and colleagues and are under no doubt about the feelings of NHS staff.
“Unless the Scottish Government come to the table with an improved offer Unison will press ahead with this ballot.”
The proposed action follows on from a period of sustained pressure on public sector pay levels, with Network Rail staff and train drivers employed on Scotrail recently completing separate walkouts over pay and conditions.
