Unite members accepted the pay offer from the Scottish Government of 4.25% for 2025/26 and 3.75% for 2026/27.

The pay offer comes with an 'inflation guarantee' meaning that pay increases will be at least 1% above the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate. The overall package is estimated to be worth £701m in 2024-25.

The trade union has warned the Scottish Government that if there is any attempt to renege on the pay increase linked to inflation, then it will automatically result in an industrial action ballot.

Unite members across the NHS include workers in estates, porters, the ambulance service, medical equipment management, scientists and theatre roles. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Unite members across NHS Scotland have accepted the pay offer over two years on the basis it is the best negotiable deal. It's a pay deal which ultimately helps us build better jobs, pay and conditions for workers across the NHS.'

The union has warned the Scottish Government that there are wider challenges facing the NHS including fixing the agreed reduction in the working week and extra investment into services.

The trade unions, NHS Scotland and Scottish Government have agreed to work towards reducing the full-time working week by an hour-and-a-half, to 36 hours in line with the commitment made as part of the 2023-24 pay settlement.

A second 30-minute reduction was scheduled to take effect from 1 April 2025 with the further 30 minutes in April 2026. The Cabinet Secretary without consulting the trade unions has stated that the incremental 60 minutes in total will now take effect as a full hour from April 2026.

James O'Connell, Unite lead negotiator for the health sector, said: ‘Unite delivered a credible pay offer for our valued NHS workers which they have overwhelmingly supported. The offer includes a critical clause which ensures pay remains inflation-proof. If there is any attempt to renege on this clause, then Unite will automatically hold an industrial action ballot.

‘The challenges facing NHS Scotland are not just about pay, but the wider working conditions and extra investment. The Scottish government and NHS executives must resolve the reduction in the working week as previously agreed to. Our members are exhausted and beyond breaking point.'