One junior physician union accepts Scottish Government pay deal
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unior physician members of the union representing hospital docs have voted to just accept a Scottish Government pay deal.
Some 67.5% of members within the HCSA Scotland poll backed the deal, which was made by ministers final month, on a turnout of simply over 74%.
The provide will see an uplift of 12.4% this 12 months and a assured pay rise in step with inflation till no less than 2026-27.
Along with the pay enhance, the Scottish Government additionally dedicated to a brand new pay evaluate mechanism.
Despite the union – which beforehand noticed 95% of members again strike motion in Scotland – voting for the deal, walkouts stay potential, with BMA Scotland junior docs nonetheless voting on the deal till Wednesday.
HCSA president Dr Naru Narayanan stated members have “cautiously” backed the pay award however “remain concerned that future commitments are still shrouded in uncertainty”.
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.”
In the letter – despatched to Health Secretary Michael Matheson from the president, together with HCSA basic secretary Dr Paul Donaldson and STUC basic secretary Roz Foyer – they stated: “We are pleased that the Scottish Government has accepted the principle of pay restoration.
“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.
“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.”
Responding to the news, the Health Secretary stated: “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.”