Talks are to start between staff representatives and the Scottish government days after an interim pay rise left unions ‘angry and disappointed’.

Scotland’s health trade unions wrote to the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman last week to express frustration that the government had pressed ahead with an interim 1% pay rise for NHS staff without talking to them first, and that government officials did not intend to commence negotiations until the summer.

Ms Freeman has however agreed to commence negotiations “immediately” after meeting with the staffside representatives of the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee (STAC) this week.

Last week the UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock had to defend the UK government’s 1% pay rise offer to NHS England – described by the Royal College of Nursing as a “pitiful” increase.

Colin Poolman, Chair of STAC and Royal College of Nursing Scotland Senior Officer said: “Our members are clear that it is simply not good enough to push negotiations to the summer and blame the UK government for the delay.

“Yesterday the Finance Secretary committed to ‘going further to deliver a fair pay deal’ for NHS staff. We are looking forward to getting round the table with the government and employers to negotiate the detail.”

Unison Regional Organiser and Staffside Secretary of STAC Willie Duffy said: “We had a constructive meeting with the Cabinet Secretary and are pleased that she responded so quickly to our concerns and request to review her previous decision.

“This past year has shone a spotlight on NHS staff, their dedication, their skill and the sacrifices they have made in responding to the pandemic. We will be making the case for the value of this contribution to be recognised in their pay packets.”

The STAC includes representatives from the following various health trade unions, including the British Dietetic Association; College of Podiatry; Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; the GMB union; Prison Officers Association; Royal College of Nursing; Royal College of Midwives; Society of Radiographers; UNISON; and Unite the Union.

Read more: ‘Breakdown in trust’ over NHS pay negotiations; NHS pay rise described as disappointing; NHS staff take pay protest to Parliament

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