Health Secretary Humza Yousaf had hoped his across-the-board pay offer would have been backed by the country’s biggest health union. But Unison’s 55,000 NHS members have rejected the deal so he needs to come up with a Plan B with some haste to prevent the winter collapse of the NHS.
Unison was the last union to declare their opposition to the deal, which would have seen some of the lowest-paid workers in the health service rewarded by bigger percentage rises than the rate of inflation. But for other, better-paid workers the sum is still far lower than the current inflation rate and the union collectively has said it is just not good enough.
The union follows the GMB, Unite, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives in their rejection of the deal. Not only that but all of these unions have already voted in favour of strike action.
Some ambulance workers will begin a work to rule later this month with others going on strike four days later. But this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Unison’s membership could bring the NHS to its knees if their expected strike ballot returns similar results. The already hard-pressed NHS is unlikely to cope with the demand on its services with fewer staff on duty.
While emergencies will be covered and those most seriously ill cared for, there is still a chance lives could be lost. That simply cannot be allowed to happen.
Unions and the Scottish Government must get back round the negotiating table to hammer out a deal acceptable to both sides in order to not only save people’s lives but our NHS. The UK Government’s Autumn Statement must find extra cash to pay for it.
What do you think? Share your views in the comments.
Standing up to the vile bullies
Jenny McGibbon has bravely told of her experience at the hands of bullies while she was growing up. She is trying to make a difference and help others who are picked on just because they are different.
Bullying is everywhere and doesn’t just take place in schools. It is found in the workplace, social settings and in the home.
It demeans and blights the lives of victims, and shames the perpetrators Jenny has told her story to highlight the impact of bullying and let others know help is at hand.
Through charities like Changing Faces, there are people who care and want to listen. Victims should not suffer in silence.
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