Date: 8 April 2008

UNISON welcomes NHS pay funding - but no agreement yet

UNISON Scotland's largest health union today welcomed the commitment of the Cabinet Secretary for Health to fund the proposed multi-year deal for NHS staff in Scotland. However, UNISON also made it clear that the proposal has not been agreed.

The agreement is to the principle of a multi-year agreement and UNISON will consult members within Scotland and across the UK on the proposals.

The process for the consultation will be determined by UNISON's Healthcare Conference which takes place in Manchester starting on Monday 14 April.

Glyn Hawker, UNISON Scottish Organiser, said: "UNISON's objectives in the negotiations were to get the best pay 'deal' possible but we also wanted to pursue the objectives identified in our conference policy. Particularly measures to benefit the low paid including the abolition of pay band 1 and a flat rate increase in pay for bands 1 to 3. The proposed deal would enable us to make significant progress in this area.”

"We also negotiated to reduce the number of pay points in the long pay bands and to add some money to the top of these pay bands. In addition we pressed our claim for a reduction in the working week and for a new trade union facilities agreement and new policies on well-being at work”.

Tom Waterson, Chair of UNISON's Scottish Health Committee, said: "UNISON is absolutely committed to seeking and acting upon the views of our members on these proposals. Three years is a long time and members will want to be sure of the benefits of an agreement that lasts for so long”.

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Glyn Hawker (Scottish Organiser) 07876 441237 (m) Dave Watson (Scottish Organiser) 0870 7777 006 (w) 07958 122 409 (m)

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