GMB Scotland members prepare for first NHS strike in years

Health workers have overwhelmingly voted to walk out as the closure of a rehabilitation centre in Aberdeen threatens the first strike in NHS Scotland for more than a decade.

GMB Scotland announced 30 workers at Rosewell House voted unanimously to take strike action after a formal three-week ballot ended yesterday with a turnout of 86%. 

NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government have been informed of the result with walkouts planned within weeks after staff, across admin, domestic, support and supervision services, failed to secure reassurances over their terms and conditions.

More talks between the union and management are expected next week but Sean Robertson, GMB Scotland organiser in Aberdeen, warned time is running out to avert the first strike in NHS Scotland for years.

He said: “The results of this ballot could not be clearer and underline the frustration and justified anger of our members at the ongoing uncertainty around their terms and conditions.

“Their determination to take every possible action, including strikes, to secure fairness and respect is obvious and must prompt serious and constructive engagement.

“Our members became NHS staff two years ago and, when the unit closes with services being moved into the community, should have exactly the same protection against cuts to their terms and conditions as colleagues.

“Strikes can still be avoided through constructive negotiation but that will demand a new urgency and commitment to finding a fair resolution.”

The staff worked for Bon Accord Care but were transferred into NHS Grampian when the 60-bed centre, offering long-term, respite and rehab care, in 2024. It will close at the end of this month but the terms and conditions of the transferred workers will not have the same protection as their colleagues.

If redeployed to a role with a lower salary, their current income will only be protected for a year – six months on full pay, six months on half, before falling to the new level - potentially costing them thousands of pounds in years ahead.

NHS Grampian policy states: “Any employee who is affected by organisational change will suffer no detriment to their terms and conditions of service.

“This includes full protection of earnings levels appropriate to the element of pay that is changing and all contractual obligations.”

NHS managers, however, insist other guidance means staff transferred into NHS Grampian under TUPE legislation have only limited protection.

Robertson said: “Our members face the potential loss of thousands of pounds in salary, annual leave and the erosion of other conditions of employment.

“It is unfair, unwarranted and will not stand.”

ENDS