UNISON is the UK’s largest health union. More than 60,000 UNISON members work in the NHS in Scotland: nurses, student nurses, midwives, health visitors, healthcare assistants, paramedics, occupational therapists, cleaners, porters, catering staff, medical secretaries, clerical and admin staff and scientific and technical staff.
UNISON cares passionately about the future of the NHS as a publicly funded service that is free at the point of delivery. The NHS is a public service we can all be proud of, and UNISON wants to keep it that way.
See also important information for workers registered with regulatory bodies.
Speaking up for Scotland’s health workers
UNISON organisers and activists work together to make sure our members’ concerns are heard – whether it’s about pay, health and safety, discrimination or the future of our NHS.
- Offering advice at work;
- Representing our members in the workplace
- Lobbying parliaments and government on issues our members care about;
- Negotiating terms and conditions for NHS Scotland staff;
- Raising professional and local concerns that affect all health workers.
- Standing up for the NHS and broader health services
Health News
MSPs should support the employment injuries advisory council bill, says UNISON
UNISON, the public services union, is urging MSPs from all parties to support Mark Griffin MSP’s Employment Injuries Advisory Council ... Read More
Christina and Lilian in Shetland and Orkney was a ‘brilliant visit’
General secretary Christina McAnea visited Shetland and Orkney, where she was joined by Scottish secretary Lilian Macer Christina and Lilian ... Read More
Delivering net zero for Scotland’s buildings: Heat in Buildings Bill
This is UNISON Scotland's response to the Scottish Government consultation on its proposed Heat in Buildings Bill. We are members ... Read More
Lobby MSPs to support key Bill & help workers with Long Covid
UNISON Scotland’s Welfare Committee is urging members to write to their MSPs backing the important Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council ... Read More
Democracy Matters: Local governance Phase 2 consultation
This is UNISON's response to the Scottish Government and COSLA ‘Democracy Matters: Local governance Phase 2 consultation’. The consultation is ... Read More
Resignation of Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Michael Matheson
UNISON Scotland head of health Matt McLaughlin said: “UNISON had a good working relationship Michael and I wish him all ... Read More
Briefing 139 – National Care Service: Revised Government Plans
The Scottish Government has radically revised its plans for a National Care Service. This follows negotiations with COSLA and the ... Read More
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Scotland Bill
This is our response to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s call for views on Gillian Mackay MSP’s Abortion ... Read More
Briefing 136 – The ‘Safe Staffing’ Act in the NHS.
The Health and Care Staffing (Scotland) Act comes into force in April 2024. The Bill gives staff in the NHS ... Read More
New way forward for NHS pay agreed – “Now Scottish Government must deliver” says UNISON
Negotiators for the NHS trade union UNISON have today signed off four papers with NHS bosses making key recommendations to ... Read More
Latest briefings and submissions
Briefing 113 Draft Budget 2020-21
The Scottish Government draft budget for 2020/21 has been published. The spending total amounts to a real terms increase of ...
Independent Inquiry: Mental Health Services in Tayside
The report from the inquiry onto mental health services in Tayside has now been published. This followed serious issues about ...
Prohibiting Smoking Outside Hospital Buildings
UNISON generally welcomes the principle of introducing new measures to end the practice of smoking on hospital grounds. We agree ...
Briefing 108: PUBLIC SERVICE PENSION SCHEME TRANSITIONAL PROTECTION CASES
On 20 December 2018, the Court of Appeal in Lord Chancellor v McCloud (and others) held that in relation to ...
UNISON WEEK 261 – SOS: Stressed out Staff in Scotland’s colleges and more …
Our weekly newsletter covering our new UNISON Scotland report - SOS: Stressed out Staff in Scotland's colleges & more … ...
UNISON Week 260 – An emergency but no accident, Equal Pay update, HE Consultation & more
Our weekly newsletter covering our latest Damage Report 'An emergency but no accident', Equal Pay update, HE Consultation & more ...
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