NHS Scotland staff 'left high and dry' as demands made for pay talks

The country’s biggest health union, which represents NHS staff, has written to the Scottish health secretary Neil Gray demanding that pay talks begin before April.

UNISON says employees have already been “left high and dry” after the government scrapped plans to reduce this year’s working week.

Following the passing of the Scottish budget, the union is calling for the health secretary to begin pay talks immediately.

An ultimatum has been issued to Mr Gray, with UNISON threatening to ballot their members for strike action, recommending a yes vote, if progress on an acceptable offer is not made before April.

UNISON Scotland co-lead for health Matt McLaughlin said: “The health secretary must come to the table with a credible pay offer without further delay, as anger is growing amongst NHS staff.

“The government says it values NHS workers. But once again ministers are late starting pay talks and have already ditched an agreement to reduce the working week this year. Staff feel like they’ve been left high and dry. Unless talks start soon, UNISON will have no choice but to start a consultative strike ballot.

“The Scottish budget process has just finished, so Neil Gray has no more excuses. If the health secretary fails to deliver on pay, staff will lose any remaining trust they had in him. Any remaining staff goodwill will quickly evaporate, making NHS reform, more difficult.”

The health secretary has confirmed pay negotiations will begin as soon as possible.

He said: “I meet with trade unions on a regular basis, and most recently met with UNISON on February 18.

“At this meeting we discussed pay, and I informed them that we will seek to enter pay negotiations to secure a pay deal for 2025/26 as soon as practically possible.”