GMB NHS Pay Offer Consultative Ballot Result
GMB members reject latest NHS Scotland pay offer by two-thirds after consultative ballot
Responding to a clear rejection of the latest NHS Scotland pay offer by GMB members across NHS Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service (where 66 per cent voted to reject and 34 per cent voted to accept), GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Service Keir Greenaway said:
“The result reflects our members views and the realities of this offer. It is still below inflation for the vast majority of staff, who worked through the depths of the pandemic and are struggling in the grip of this cost-of-living crisis, and it doesn’t go far enough in itself to confront the understaffing crisis affecting frontline services either.
“The Scottish Government has contrasted its approach on trade union engagement with that of the UK Government, so we are now asking the Cabinet Secretary to practice what he preaches by meeting our members this side of Christmas to continue discussions over their value and the sustainability of their services.
“It is important the Cabinet Secretary takes on board the views of all NHS staff and not just some, because we are talking about frontline workers who understand first-hand the crisis across service delivery and patient care, and they have clear and credible views on how these services can be recovered in the months and years ahead.
“The fact remains that GMB members in major services and health board areas have strong legal mandates for strikes and an imposition of this offer without further discussion would be seriously detrimental to the industrial relations the Scottish Government have been quick to promote.
“If the Cabinet Secretary wants to preserve those relations, he must meet our members urgently.”
ENDS
Contact: GMB Scotland Communications on 07976 447077.
Notes to Editors:
GMB Scotland has over 8,000 members employed across NHS Scotland and its associated services, including 1,700 members in the Scottish Ambulance Service.
GMB members have statutory mandates for strike action in the following health boards and services: Scottish Ambulance Service, Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Lothian, Forth Valley, Borders, Western Isles, ISS Mediclean UK (Hairmyres Hospital), Golden Jubilee University Hospital, Health Care Improvement Scotland, Education Scotland.
