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| Nurse strike threat continues after improved pay offer | Nurse strike threat continues after improved pay offer |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| A nursing union has criticised an improved pay offer from the Scottish government, saying a strike vote will continue. | A nursing union has criticised an improved pay offer from the Scottish government, saying a strike vote will continue. |
| The proposed deal is for a flat rate of £2,205 per person, backdated to April. | The proposed deal is for a flat rate of £2,205 per person, backdated to April. |
| The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said it was a real-terms pay cut and accused the government of not listening to staff concerns. | The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said it was a real-terms pay cut and accused the government of not listening to staff concerns. |
| Ministers said the offer reflected the "hard work" of NHS staff and would help during the cost of living crisis. | Ministers said the offer reflected the "hard work" of NHS staff and would help during the cost of living crisis. |
| The RCN had asked for at least 5% above inflation which rose to 10.1% in September. | The RCN had asked for at least 5% above inflation which rose to 10.1% in September. |
| The latest headlines from Scotland | The latest headlines from Scotland |
| Why are nurses balloting for strike action? | Why are nurses balloting for strike action? |
| The new offer means an average salary increase of 7% with the lowest paid gaining more than 11% and qualified nursing staff receiving up to 8.45%. | The new offer means an average salary increase of 7% with the lowest paid gaining more than 11% and qualified nursing staff receiving up to 8.45%. |
| Other non-financial elements are still to be finalised. | Other non-financial elements are still to be finalised. |
| RCN Scotland director, Colin Poolman, said: "The Scottish government has failed to listen to our members' concerns for the safety of their patients. | RCN Scotland director, Colin Poolman, said: "The Scottish government has failed to listen to our members' concerns for the safety of their patients. |
| "This offer fails to recognise the clinical skill, expertise and leadership of registered nurses. | "This offer fails to recognise the clinical skill, expertise and leadership of registered nurses. |
| "It will do nothing to address the staffing crisis, the life-threatening delays we are seeing at emergency departments or the lengthy waiting lists for treatment across Scotland's NHS." | "It will do nothing to address the staffing crisis, the life-threatening delays we are seeing at emergency departments or the lengthy waiting lists for treatment across Scotland's NHS." |
| He said striking was a "last resort" but a real possibility and said the ballot would continue. | |
| Staff have been protesting and calling for a better deal | Staff have been protesting and calling for a better deal |
| Union chiefs at Unison said the would put the improved offer to members and would meet next week "to consider next steps". | Union chiefs at Unison said the would put the improved offer to members and would meet next week "to consider next steps". |
| Wilma Brown, chairwoman of the union's Health Committee, said: "Unison believe that a flat rate offer will help all staff meet at least some of the cost-of-living crisis. | Wilma Brown, chairwoman of the union's Health Committee, said: "Unison believe that a flat rate offer will help all staff meet at least some of the cost-of-living crisis. |
| "In the meantime, we are still urging all Unison members to vote for industrial action." | "In the meantime, we are still urging all Unison members to vote for industrial action." |
| The pay deal, which amounts to £480m, would be paid to more than 160,000 employees including nurses, paramedics, allied health professionals and healthcare support staff. | The pay deal, which amounts to £480m, would be paid to more than 160,000 employees including nurses, paramedics, allied health professionals and healthcare support staff. |
| 'Constructive discussions' | 'Constructive discussions' |
| Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said he was grateful to trade union colleagues and NHS employers for constructive discussions on pay. | Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said he was grateful to trade union colleagues and NHS employers for constructive discussions on pay. |
| "This has been another exceptionally challenging year for our health service and we have a difficult winter ahead," he said. | "This has been another exceptionally challenging year for our health service and we have a difficult winter ahead," he said. |
| "But I am pleased that we are able to recognise the service and dedication of our healthcare and support staff with this pay offer." | "But I am pleased that we are able to recognise the service and dedication of our healthcare and support staff with this pay offer." |
| "We owe NHS staff a debt of gratitude for leading us through the greatest public health crisis in recent history. | "We owe NHS staff a debt of gratitude for leading us through the greatest public health crisis in recent history. |
| "This improved pay offer - which is the largest of its kind since devolution - reflects their hard work and will go a long way to help them through the cost of living crisis." | "This improved pay offer - which is the largest of its kind since devolution - reflects their hard work and will go a long way to help them through the cost of living crisis." |