Junior docs in Scotland settle for ‘record’ pay deal
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unior docs in Scotland have overwhelmingly voted to simply accept a “record” pay provide from the Scottish Government.
The British Medical Association (BMA) had really useful its members settle for the provide, which is able to see wages rise by 12.4% in 2023-24, with Scottish ministers additional guaranteeing will increase in keeping with inflation till not less than 2026-27.
More than 4 in 5 (81.64%) of junior docs who took half within the BMA Scotland poll voted to simply accept the provide, with 71.24% of members voting.
While the end result ends the specter of strike motion by junior docs in Scotland’s hospitals, ministers have been warned that in the event that they fail to reside as much as their commitments the union might poll once more.
The deal, which has already been accepted by junior docs within the HCSA Scotland union, additionally features a dedication from the Scottish Government to a brand new pay evaluate mechanism.
Scottish Health Secretary Michael Matheson mentioned he’s “very pleased that BMA members have overwhelmingly voted to accept this record pay deal for junior doctors”.
He added: “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.”
Dr Chris Smith, chairman of the BMA’s Scottish Junior Doctor Committee, mentioned junior docs had mentioned “enough is enough” earlier this yr after they voted for strike motion.
But he mentioned the pay deal from ministers at Holyrood “moves us from a position where pay restoration was a strongly held conviction within our profession to a shared goal that the Scottish Government has publicly committed to working with us to complete”.
Dr Smith mentioned: “Key to this offer, that sets it apart from what is happening elsewhere in the UK, is that the Scottish Government recognises this reality and has agreed to ongoing negotiations towards full pay restoration to 2008 levels, with an unprecedented commitment to set inflation as the floor of the pay offer at each round of negotiation.
“This structure will maintain the momentum of our campaign in Scotland for full pay restoration over the next few months and into next year.”
But he warned: “If sufficient progress towards full pay restoration is not made at the next round of negotiations, or should the Scottish Government not follow through with any elements of its offer, we will not hesitate to ballot our members again and take strike action, should it be required.
“We have demonstrated our power – and no-one should be in any doubt about how strong we are as a collective or what we can deliver when we stand together.”
While the 12.4% uplift has been agreed for this yr, Dr Smith mentioned that is solely a “start” in direction of reversing the 28.5% discount in pay junior docs have had since 2008 – including that ministers ought to instantly “begin the necessary budgetary preparation” for future rises.
“A huge amount of work will be required from the Scottish Government to undo the damage the past 15 years of pay decline has caused the NHS,” Dr Smith mentioned.
“But this offer is a serious, welcome commitment to ensuring that pay for junior doctors in Scotland is restored to a fair level.”
Mr Matheson added: “Due to the meaningful engagement we have had with trade unions, we have avoided any industrial action in Scotland – the only part of the UK to avoid NHS strikes.
“We will now implement this pay uplift, and will work with BMA to take forward the other aspects of the deal, including contract and pay bargaining reform.”