Scottish nurses set to vote on NHS pay offer
Nurses in Scotland are to be consulted on the Scottish Government's latest pay offer, their union has announced.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said yesterday it would consult with members on the new offer described as "best and final" by Health Secretary Humza Yousaf when it was made last week.
But the RCN will not make any recommendations to its members on how to vote on the issue.
According to the Scottish Government, the deal would mean NHS workers in Scotland would remain the best paid in the UK, and workers would get pay rises ranging from £2,205 to £2,751.
For the lowest paid it would be a rise of 11.3 per cent, with an average rise of 7.5 per cent.
Julie Lamberth, the chairwoman of the RCN Scotland board, said: "The Scottish Government is repeatedly failing to recognise the clinical skill, expertise and lead
ership of registered nurses.
"None of the offers made to date will do enough to attract more people into nursing and to retain the skilled nurses we already have. We know that nursing staff are increasingly thinking of leaving the profession.”
"If our members vote to reject the latest revised offer, the RCN will act on the clear mandate for strike action voted for by members."
The vote will last from December 5 to midday on December 19.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf welcomed the RCN'S decision to put the offer to a ballot.