NHS workers will be offered pay rise
Union boss: Staff deserve recognition and fair reward
Th e organiser of last month’s fair pay demonstration at the Royal Alexandra Hospital has welcomed news that the Scottish Government is set to offer NHS staff a pay rise.
Matt McLaughlin, Unison’s regional organiser for the Paisley hospital, said the government’s recognition of health care workers sacrifice throughout the crisis must now be converted into fair pay for all.
The union chief - who spearheaded the RAH workers protest as part of the Pay Up Now campaign - was speaking after the First Minister used her programme for government to confirm a new pay deal for NHS staff.
Ms Sturgeon told parliament: “We owe our health and care workers an enormous debt of gratitude.
“We are already working with trade unions to agree the negotiation of a new pay award for 2021/22.
“As part of this, we are considering options to recognise the enormous contribution of health and care staff during the pandemic.”
Unison’s Pay Up Now Campaign comes in response to what they say has been a real-terms pay cut for NHS workers over the past decade.
They have also, throughout the pandemic, incurred significant additional costs including extra child care due to working more shifts; increased transport costs because of restricted public transport; costs due to isolating from family; and even a rise in laundry costs.
“The fact that the First Minister has clearly heard and understood members anger is welcome,” Mr McLaughlin said.
“People now need to sit down and negotiate for a pay deal for health workers across the board and recognise our colleagues role in the fight against the coronavirus crisis.”
Unison is seeking a flat rate pay increase for all NHS workers, arguing a percentage increase would disproportionately reward top earners.
The union says an equal flat increase for all pay grades is fair and equitable, stating the value of any offer would be clearly understood by all saff as to what they would mean to them and their families.
Mr McLaughlin added: “The issue is that Covid has not gone away.
“We have come out of a peak but it looks like we might be heading into another.
“It’s important that everyone in the health and care sector feels properly valued and valued in equal measure.
“I would say that people need to remember that we have more of this to go and they need remember that when they are negotiating with unions on pay.”
Willie Duffy, Unison Scotland’s head of health, commended RAH workers for turning out in force to demonstrate for fair pay last month.
He said: “The dedication and commitment of our NHS workers during this pandemic have been nothing short of heroic.
“The least they deserve is our recognition and fair reward for everything they have done, and for everything they continue to do to keep us all safe.”
The dedication and commitment of our NHS workers have been nothing short of heroic