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Nurses in Scotland set to strike in new year after latest pay offer ‘overwhelmingly’ rejected | UK News



Nurses in Scotland will go on strike in early 2023 after members of the Royal College of Nurses “overwhelmed” rejected the latest pay offer from the Scottish government.

In the advisory vote, which ended at midday on Monday, 82% of those who voted rejected the “best and last” offer from ministers at Holyrood.

The move could see members of RCN Scotland join the strikes for the first time.

The union said it would announce a strike date at the start of the new year and “the ball is in the Scottish government’s yard” if that won’t happen.

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After negotiations with the government, the deal offered to raise wages from £2,205 to £2,751.

NHS staff will receive an average increase of 7.5% – with an increase of 11.3% for the lowest paid staff.

Ministers say the offer means NHS workers in Scotland will remain the highest paid in the UK.

However, Julie Lamberth, chair of the RCN Scotland board, said it was “the right thing to ask members to accept or decline the offer”.

She added: “It directly affects their lives and every member who is eligible should have the opportunity to speak up.

“The results could not have been clearer – we have strongly rejected what the Scottish government says is their ‘best and last’ offer.

“Make no mistake – we don’t want to strike. Years of undervalued and understaffed have left us feeling we have no other choice so enough is enough.

“The ball would be in the Scottish government’s court if strike action would have been avoided.”

The Royal College of Midwives also announced that its members had rejected the offer, with almost two-thirds (65%) voting against the deal, which they said would leave many midwives ” actually more difficult in real terms”.

It has also been rejected by employees in the GMB union – although it has been accepted by workers at both Unite and Unison.

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