Date: 7 October 2004

UNISON to recommend new NHS pay deal - with reservations

Scotland's largest health care union, UNISON, today accepted the government's NHS pay modernisation system known as Agenda for Change and, with reservations, agreed to recommend it in a ballot of its healthcare members.

Speaking after a conference of all UNISON's healthcare branches in London, Jim Devine, Scottish Organiser for Health, said: "Delegates representing one in two Scottish Health Service workers voted to recommend the government's new pay modernisation system. Whilst agreeing to recommend this system, many of our delegates expressed concern that some members could end up as losers unless protection is agreed."

"Delegates contrasted the treatment of consultants - who have seen an increase of £24,000 per annum, and GP's who have enjoyed a 33% increase in their budgets as part of their pay modernisation, with nurses, porters and adminitrative and clerical staff some of whom may find themselves receiving no pay increase for years."

"Scottish delegates have asked that we continue our negotiations with the Scottish Executive to ensure that no health service worker in Scotland loses out as a result of this modernisation."

The ballot of UNISON members will take place during the last two weeks of October.

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Jim Devine, Scottish Organiser 0845 355 0845(w) 07876 441239(m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0845 355 0845(w) 0771 558 3729(m)

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