Resolution is possible after long-running NHS dispute

STRIKE: Tayside pharmacy workers hopeful of a result

NHS Tayside’s pharmacy workers hope a resolution to their long-running strike may be found this week.

Unite, representing the workers, met with the Scottish Government’s terms and conditions committee (Stac) on Friday to discuss the ongoing industrial action following a stalemate between the union and the health board.

Stac has now put together a draft terms of reference that outlines the process to be followed in resolving the dispute, which started on August 19 over workers’ pay grades.

It is expected that this week a final version of the document will be presented to Unite and NHS Tayside, who both have to confirm they’re in agreement with the terms outlined in order for the resolution process to start.

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The workers are still at the picket line and will be there until this is sorted.

SUSAN ROBERTSON, UNITE

Workers will remain on the picket line until a deal is agreed.

Susan Robertson, Unite’s industrial officer, said: “We’re as happy as we can be with the result, under the circumstances.

“The process for resolution is being finalised – NHS Tayside and Unite have to agree to it, which will hopefully happen by early to middle of this week.

“The workers are still at the picket line and will be there until this is sorted.”

Hopes of ending the walkout were dashed earlier this month after the health board failed to secure enough union members for an appeals panel to review workers’ banding grade.

Currently, NHS Tayside’s pharmacy support workers are on the health board’s second lowest pay grade, earning between £17,949 and £20,015 a year. However, in recent years the role was said to have become “unrecognisable”, with duties from higher paid jobs being filtered down to the lower pay grades.

A health board spokeswoman claimed Unite had failed to take up an earlier offer to meet with the committee.

Nicolson. Picture: Dougie Pickets at Ninewells.