This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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NHS unions endorse new pay package
23/11/2004
NHS unions decided today to endorse Agenda for Change,
the new pay reform package for 130,000 NHS Scotland
staff.
Agenda for Change will be rolled out across the UK from
1 December this year.
Earlier this month both UNISON and Amicus members voted
in favour of Agenda for Change, following on from earlier
endorsement from other organisations including the Royal
College of Nursing (RCN), Royal College of Midwifes (RCM)
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) and GMB.
Benefits of the pay reforms include:
- Increase in NHS minimum wage to £5.69 per hour
- 10 per cent pay deal for all staff over three years
from 2003 to 2005.
- A newly registered nurse will now earn broadly the
same as a newly qualified teacher.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said:
"This is good news for patients and staff. I am
delighted that the NHS staff have voted in favour of Agenda
for Change, the most radical reform of NHS staff pay and
conditions since 1948. Both patients and staff will
benefit from this new deal. As staff gain opportunities to
enhance their skills and work more flexibly, patients will
experience better and faster care delivered in a way which
meets their needs.
"The design, testing and implementation of the new
system reflects a sustained period of successful
partnership working between the four UK Health Departments,
NHS employers and the trades unions. I look forward to
continuing to work with staff and all our partners to
harness the opportunities this gives us to deliver a first
class health service to the people of Scotland."