Over 800 NHS Forth Valley workers to receive pay rise

A union has agreed a £2000 pay increase for health care staff in the area.

More than 800 NHS Forth Valley care support workers will receive the increase.

It follows a 3-year re-evaluation claim made by UNISON.

Staff will also receive back-dated pay to July 2019. 

Karren Morrison UNISON Forth Valley branch secretary said: “This is fantastic news for some of the lowest paid in the NHS and staff and their patients will benefit. And the pay increase comes when staff are struggling with an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis. We are delighted that the chief executive and health board have honoured what has been a long-standing commitment to recognise and reward the work of these UNISON members. We now need to go through the job evaluation process”
 
“It's days like these that make me proud to be in UNISON. I am delighted for these colleagues. If anyone doubts the impact of joining UNISON this is surely testament to the work we all do. This is not the end of the story as we are continuing to work with other staff affected by this issue as we now focus our attention on band 3 and 4 graded staff.”

Cathie Cowan, Chief Executive, of NHS Forth Valley, said: “Work was already underway locally to look at the role and rebanding of Healthcare Support Workers who play an important role across the organisation and make a major contribution to the delivery of local services and high-quality patient care.”

“I’m pleased that we have reached an agreement with Unison which will ensure all staff who are matched to the new Nursing Clinical Support Worker role receive around three years of backdated pay. This will help some of our lowest paid staff and recognises the additional duties which many Healthcare Support workers have taken on over the last few years.”