Nurses in Scotland reject latest pay offer from NHS

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Scotland have rejected the latest pay offer from the NHS.

In the consultative ballot, 82% of members who voted rejected a deal which would have seen the average salary rise by 7.5%.

RCN Scotland says it will continue planning for industrial action and will announce strike dates early next year.

The Scottish government has said previously the pay offer for NHS staff was unprecedented.

Julie Lamberth, RCN Scotland board chair, said members had "forcefully rejected what the Scottish government said is its 'best and final' offer".

She added: "Make no mistake - we do not want to go on strike. Years of being undervalued and understaffed have left us feeling we have been left with no option because enough is enough.

"The ball is in Scottish government's court if strike action is going to be avoided."

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