Scotland’s junior docs provided 14.5% cumulative pay rise amid walkout risk
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unior docs in Scotland have been provided a 14.5% pay rise over two years in an try and curb strike motion.
It comes after junior docs north of the border voted for a 72-hour walkout in what can be their first nationwide strike over pay.
The Scottish Government mentioned the provide represents a £61.3 million funding in junior physician pay, following negotiations with the British Medical Association Scotland (BMA).
If accepted, will probably be delivered by a 6.5% pay enhance in 2023/24, in addition to an extra 3% in the direction of an already agreed 4.5% uplift in 2022/23.
The provide would see junior docs in the beginning of their profession obtain a complete wage enhance of £3,834 over the 2 years, whereas these on the finish of their coaching would see their pay rise by £7,951 over the identical interval.
Health Secretary Michael Matheson mentioned the provide is the most important within the final 20 years and one of the best provide for junior medics throughout the UK.
Junior docs in Scotland backed strike motion by 97% amid requires a pay enhance of 23.5% on high of inflation.
However, the Scottish Government repeatedly mentioned the provide was unaffordable and the medics will now vote on whether or not to simply accept the up to date provide.
It’s now as much as junior docs to mirror on this remaining provide, and I hope they’ll settle for
Mr Matheson mentioned: “After weeks of intense negotiations I’m delighted our government and BMA Scotland have come to an agreement on pay which they will now put to their members.
“Recognising the incredible work that junior doctors do, we have offered a fair and progressive rise which will mean a pay increase of 14.5% over two years – the best offer on the table in the UK.
“We have taken their concerns regarding pay, and the need to modernise pay bargaining more broadly, extremely seriously.
“It’s now up to junior doctors to reflect on this final offer, and I hope they will accept.”
Scottish Junior Doctor committee chairman Dr Chris Smith mentioned the negotiations had been finished in “good faith” and the provide will probably be put to union members.
However, he mentioned: “To be clear this is not a deal we have agreed, and we have not accepted any offer.
“However, the offer that has been made is without doubt an improvement on the 4.5% awarded last year, and the improved offer for 2022/23 would represent a slowdown in doctors’ pay erosion which has accelerated up to this point after 15 years of real-terms decline.”
Mr Smith added that the provide “reflects the best that the Scottish Government will offer after this series of negotiations”.
He mentioned: “This is why it is essential our members decide our next steps.”
If the provide is rejected, “several different options” can be again on the desk, he mentioned, together with strike motion.
He additionally welcomed the dedication to determine a junior physician pay bargaining evaluation taskforce which could have a remit to ship a brand new system that stops pay erosion.
Junior docs south of the border lately walked out over pay.