Union warns reduction in working week needs resolved

Unite the union can confirm today (15 May) that its NHS Scotland membership have overwhelmingly backed the two-year pay offer.

By 87 per cent, Unite members accepted the pay offer of 4.25 per cent for 2025/26 and 3.75 per cent for 2026/27.

The pay offer comes with an "inflation guarantee" meaning that pay increases will be at least 1 per cent above the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate. The overall package is estimated to be worth £701 million in 2024-25.

The trade union has warned the Scottish Government that if there is any attempt to renege on pay increase link to inflation then it will automatically result in an industrial action ballot.

Unite members across the NHS includes workers in estates, porters, the ambulance service, medical equipment management, scientists and theatre roles.  

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite members across NHS Scotland have accepted the pay offer over two years on the basis it is the best negotiable deal. It’s a pay deal which ultimately helps us build better jobs, pay and conditions for workers across the NHS.”

Unite has warned the Scottish government that there are wider challenges facing the NHS including fixing the agreed reduction in the working week and extra investment into services.

The trade union previously blasted the Scottish government and NHS Scotland for unilaterally reneging on an agreement to reduce the working week in 2025 by 30 minutes.

The trade unions, NHS Scotland and Scottish government agreed to work towards reducing the full-time working week by an hour and a half to 36 hours in line with the commitment made as part of the 2023-24 pay settlement.

A second 30-minute reduction was scheduled to take effect from 1 April 2025 with the further 30 minutes in April 2026. The Cabinet Secretary without consulting the trade unions has stated that the incremental 60 minutes in total will now take effect as a full hour from April 2026.

James O’Connell, Unite lead negotiator for the health sector said: “Unite delivered a credible pay offer for our valued NHS workers which they have overwhelmingly supported. The offer includes a critical clause which ensures pay remains inflation proof. If there is any attempt to renege on this clause then Unite will automatically hold an industrial action ballot.”

“The challenges facing NHS Scotland are not just about pay but the wider working conditions and extra investment. The Scottish government and NHS executives must resolve the reduction in the working week as previously agreed to. Our members are exhausted and beyond breaking point.”

 

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922. Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Derek Thomson