Home » UK Employment news » Junior doctors union accepts Scottish government’s pay deal
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/united-kingdom/uk-employment-news/junior-doctors-union-accepts-scottish-governments-pay-deal
Junior doctors have voted to accept a pay offer offered by the Scottish Government.
The HCSA Scotland ballot saw 67.5 percent of members supporting the deal.
It includes a 12.4 percent pay increase this year and guaranteed rises in line with inflation until at least 2026-27.
Read More: Scottish Education Staff Vote To Strike For Better Pay
The Scottish Government has also pledged to implement a new pay review mechanism.
Although this acceptance signifies progress, the union remains cautious about uncertainties regarding future commitments.
Despite the endorsement, walkouts could still occur as BMA Scotland junior doctors continue voting on the agreement until Wednesday.
HCSA president Dr Naru Narayanan said members have “cautiously” backed the pay award but “remain concerned that future commitments are still shrouded in uncertainty”.
Read More: Junior Doctors To Strike Nine Days After Starting Work In NHS
Dr Narayanan added: “We do not yet know the shape of any future pay review process nor the detail on promised inflationary rises in future years.
“HCSA and the Scottish TUC have therefore written jointly today to the Health Secretary to ensure that the views of our members are fully represented and build constructively on the promises made to date.”
A letter co-signed by HCSA, STUC, and Scottish TUC leadership was sent to Health Secretary Michael Matheson, underscoring the importance of fully representing members' views and building on commitments made.
They said: “It is good to see an immediate plan to curtail erosion, and a longer term strategy for reform. Overall, we welcome the significant progress this award represents in achieving pay restoration.
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“However, our members are not without reservations. Detail is lacking on the process, which in turn affects confidence.
“Our members have therefore asked us to keep the situation under review, and particularly to monitor that the awards promised for the next three years are indeed greater than inflation.
“Our members will expect a timeline for pay restoration to arise out of this process.”
The Health Secretary responded: “I am pleased that the HCSA members have accepted this record pay deal for junior doctors.
“This is the single biggest investment in junior doctor pay since devolution and maintains our commitment to make Scotland the best place in the UK for junior doctors to work and train.”
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