NHS strike threat as frontline heroes demand rise of £2k
THOUSANDS of nurses and healthcare workers are threatening to go on strike unless they receive a ‘significant’ pay rise – in a move that could cripple Scotland’s NHS.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes used her Budget last week to announce a wage rise of up to 3 per cent for public sector workers.
But Scotland’s biggest trade union has said the offer is not enough and that it is prepared to consider industrial action.
Unison is demanding a £2,000 rise for every NHS employee – including the nurses, paramedics and health visitors who have been on the front line during the pandemic.
The union, which represents more than 60,000 NHS workers north of the Border, said it wants the cash value to be added to everyone’s wages instead of a percentage rise, making it fairer for the lower-paid.
It said that if the Scottish Government does not make a reasonable offer, it will ballot its members for possible industrial action.
Tom Waterson, chairman of Unison Scotland’s health committee, said: ‘We welcome the Finance Secretary’s commitment that there will be no pay freeze for public sector workers but the figures mentioned of rises of 1 per cent up to 3 per cent don’t cut the mustard.
‘Within health and social care we’re looking for a £2,000 across the board flat-rate payment for all staff.
‘If there’s not a significant pay offer that’s acceptable to our members we will move to ballot [them].
‘We will ask them if they want to take part in industrial action up to and including strike. We retain the right to withdraw labour.’
While Unison is pushing for a flatrate increase, a grassroots campaign group of more than 9,000 NHS workers from across Scotland is organising a separate campaign, demanding a 15 per cent rise. The group, which is seeking union backing, said it is also prepared to take strike action.
On Thursday, Ms Forbes announced a wage increase for most public sector workers – but only those earning below £25,000 a year will get a 3 per cent pay rise. Those on higher salaries will receive a 1 per cent hike, capped at £800 for those on £80,000 a year or more.
Mr Waterson claimed the Government has not offered to discuss pay with the union. He said: ‘Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have said there are discussions under way but there have been none yet.
‘We want to start talks as early as possible – we were promised talks last year.’
Brenda Eadie, one of the organisers of the separate grassroots group, said: ‘The 15 per cent we are asking for would only just bring us back up in line with inflation. It’s not an unreasonable ask for the job we do.
‘We are broken – workers have had enough. They are exhausted, burnt-out and stressed.’
‘We invite all unions to join in solidarity and fight for the workers.’
Mental health nurse and single mother Pauline Brady, from Ayrshire, struggles to pay her bills and often has to pick up 12-hour extra shifts on top of her full-time job.
Since she became a fully qualified band 5 nurse in September, she
‘The figures mentioned don’t cut the mustard’ ‘My mum has had to bring over food parcels’
earns £25,100 before deductions. She said: ‘I feel like a failure and I can’t provide for my son. My mum has had to bring over food parcels.’
The Scottish Government said Ms Freeman met employers and unions last month and is committed to securing a fair and affordable deal.
A spokesman said: ‘NHS Scotland staff remain the best-paid in the UK. This year NHS Agenda for Change staff received a 2.95 per cent pay rise as part of our threeyear deal, offering a minimum 9 per cent increase for most staff, and over 27 per cent for some moving up their pay scale.’