NHS nursing staff in Scotland have voted to accept the Scottish Government’s pay offer for the coming year, in a consultation organised by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
The RCN in Scotland has said that a ‘significant minority’ (39%) voted to reject the offer, following ‘continued frustration and concern’ about the nursing workforce crisis in Scotland’s NHS.
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The union’s consultation took place between 27 August and 20 September of this year, with 61% of respondents voting to accept the 5.5% offer.
Just over half of eligible union members (51%) voted in the consultation overall.
The RCN Scotland Board will be reporting to a meeting of joint health trade unions this afternoon before results are presented to the Scottish Government and NHS employers.
Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland director, described the pay increase as ‘long overdue’ and added that the Scottish Government must be ‘better prepared to enter negotiations in a timely fashion for 2025-26’.
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He added: ‘There is still much to do to ensure the safety critical role of nursing is recognised and rewarded. Further reform of Agenda for Change is needed.’
The pay increase is expected to be applied to October salaries with the backdated pay element, from the 1 April 2024, to be paid in November.
Julie Lamberth, RCN Scotland board chair, said: ‘We believe it was right that our members had their say on this offer.
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‘The result of the vote shows that Scottish Government still have more to do. This is not the end; we will continue the fight for fair pay and safe staffing.’
This morning RCN members in England voted to reject the government’s 5.5% pay award for the coming year.
