Union welcomes NHS pay rise

Some staff will get a 16% increase

A deal to boost the wages of some of the poorest-paid NHS workers has been welcomed by Scotland's largest healthcare union.

Unison has agreed a package with the Scottish Executive that could see the pay of thousands of clerical, ancillary and nursing staff rise by up to 16%.

Jim Devine, Unison's Scottish organiser for healthcare, said that more than 30,000 NHS staff would benefit from the agreement.

He said: "For far too long, low pay has been endemic in the NHS and we hope this is the beginning of the end for the low pay scandal."

This agreement will mean that 14,500 Ancillary staff who last year earned £4.62 an hour will now see their hourly rate rise by 16%

Jim Devine
Unison

Mr Devine said that Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm had recognised the low pay problem and worked with the union to do something about it.

He said: "This agreement will mean that 14,500 Ancillary staff who last year earned £4.62 an hour will now see their hourly rate rise by 16%.

"Thousands of admin and clerical staff who last March earned £9,670 will see their pay increase to £11,061. "

The pay deal will also see the bottom three points removed from the lowest nursing grade.

Mr Chisholm said: "I would like to welcome this agreement between the NHS and the trade unions that demonstrates the benefits of partnership working.

"This is a significant step forward on low pay as thousands of the lowest paid ancillary workers could receive an increase of up to 16%."