RCN members reject Scottish Government’s ‘best and final’ pay offer

Nurses in Scotland have overwhelmingly rejected the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government, in a move which could see members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) take strike action for the first time ever.

Leaders of the RCN had balloted their members after ministers at Holyrood offered a “best and final”  improved pay rise.

After 82% of those who took part in the ballot rejected that offer, the RCN said it would announce dates for strike action in Scotland early in the new year.

Julie Lamberth, RCN Scotland board chair insisted: “Make no mistake – we do not want to go on strike.

“Years of being undervalued and understaffed have left us feeling we have been left with no option because enough is enough.

“The ball is in Scottish Government’s court if strike action is going to be avoided.”

The Scottish Government had offered workers in the NHS a pay rise that would have seen staff receive an average increase of 7.5% – with the lowest paid staff to get a rise of 11.3%.

Ms Lamberth said putting the improved offer to nurses was “the right thing”, as she added the result of the ballot “could not be clearer”.

She said: “We have forcefully rejected what the Scottish Government said is its ‘best and final’ offer.”

The Royal College of Midwives also announced its members had rejected the offer, with almost two thirds (65%) having voted against the deal which it claimed would see many midwives “actually worse off in real terms”.

It has also been rejected by staff in the GMB trade union – although it has been accepted by workers in both Unite and Unison.

Jaki Lambert, RCM director for Scotland, said: “Our members have spoken loud and clear – the latest pay offer by the Scottish Government is simply not good enough.

“It goes nowhere near addressing the rising cost of living and would see many midwives actually worse off in real terms.

“Our maternity services are continuing to face staffing challenges. In many places, it’s only the goodwill and commitment of midwives and their colleagues that keep these services going.”

She added: “We have written to the Cabinet Secretary and said that it’s not too late to avert strike action – we just need to get back around the table.”

However, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf reiterated that the deal put to NHS staff had been the Scottish Government’s “best and final offer” – adding he was “disappointed” it had been rejected by both the RCN and the RCM.

He is due to meet trade unions on Thursday as the Government seeks to avoid industrial action, with the Health Secretary pledging he was “committed to meaningful dialogue with our unions”.

Mr Yousaf said: “While I am naturally disappointed the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing have rejected this offer, I respect the voice of their membership.

“We have engaged tirelessly with trade union representatives over recent weeks and months, leaving no stone unturned to reach a record pay offer which responds to the key concerns of staff across the service.”

Speaking about the proposed pay deal he said: “This best and final pay offer of over half a billion pounds underlines our commitment to supporting our fantastic NHS staff.

“A newly qualified nurse and midwife would see a pay rise of 8.7%, and experienced nurses and midwives and would get uplifts of between £2,450 and £2,550.

“We are making this offer at a time of extraordinary financial challenges to the Scottish Government to get money into the pockets of hard working staff and to avoid industrial action, in what is already going to be an incredibly challenging winter.

“Constructive engagement is crucial, those unions who have rejected our pay offer have all said they want to avoid industrial action, we must collectively work toward avoiding strikes taking place this winter at a time of already significant pressure for our NHS.”

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said Mr Yousaf must “immediately get back round the table with the RCN to thrash out a deal to prevent strike action going ahead”.

The Tory MSP added: “Scotland’s NHS is on its knees due to the health secretary’s mismanagement, so the last thing it can afford going into the peak winter period is industrial action.

“With a 6,000-plus shortfall in personnel across Scotland, it’s little wonder that nurses feel shattered, over-stretched and taken for granted by the SNP government.

“The conditions nurses are forced to work under are unacceptable. They have made that clear repeatedly but Humza Yousaf doesn’t seem to understand it.”

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie meanwhile called on Mr Yousaf to quit as Health Secretary.

She said: “Under the SNP, Scotland’s heroic nursing staff have been pushed to breaking point.

“We are already in the midst of a full-blown winter crisis, with lives being risked on a daily basis.

“It’s time that Humza Yousaf does the right thing and resigns.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the Scottish Government must find the extra cash to settle the pay dispute.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Just a week ago, the SNP’s new Westminster leader was urging the Prime Minister to follow Scotland’s lead and settle with unions over a new pay deal. It’s time for the Health Secretary to follow his advice.

“Nurses have gone above and beyond in recent years to keep all of us safe. They need a proper pay deal, better working conditions and safe staffing levels.

“Scottish ministers clapped for our NHS, now they need to get their hands in their pockets.”