The Society's national officer for Scotland has described her first meeting of the 2023/24 pay negotiations as a 'meaningful discussion'.
In a message to members in Scotland, Yvonne Stewart said developments around AfC pay had recently caused both confusion and uncertainty.
"Whilst SoR and other STAC staff side trade unions accepted the 2022/23 pay offer, three unions remain in dispute. Unfortunately, media headlines on the weekend of 13 January, regarding possible resolution of that dispute, gave many members the impression that pay for 2022/23 was being re-opened. This is not the case.
"The 2022/23 deal is not being re-opened – negotiations have instead moved to focus on pay for 2023/24. This very quick opening of negotiations for 2023/24 is directly aligned to the agreement contained within the 2022/23 deal that negotiations for 2023/24 would be timely, maximising the chance for settlement of pay in time for April payroll.
"Pay negotiations regarding NHS Pay 2023/24 therefore commenced on Thursday, 19 January, when STAC staff side’s pay negotiation team met with the Government and employers at St Andrew’s House. I attended as a member of that negotiating team. The Cabinet Secretary, Humza Yousaf and the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney were also present.
"Negotiations are obviously at a very early stage, however, I can confirm that there was meaningful discussion regarding AfC pay for 2023/24 and both sides committed to meeting again soon – dates have now been identified for the next few weeks."
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