Unite the union has condemned the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland for reneging on an agreement to reduce the working week by 30 minutes in 2025.
The initial agreement aimed to cut the full-time working week by 1.5 hours to 36 hours, as part of the 2023-24 pay settlement.
A further 30-minute reduction was planned for April 2025, with the final reduction set for April 2026.
However, NHS Scotland has now indicated a delay, with the Cabinet Secretary pledging the full hour will be implemented only from April 2026.
Unite has criticised the delay, warning it will exacerbate pressure on NHS staff and lead to increased stress, fatigue, and morale issues.
In August 2024, Unite published a survey on the Scottish Ambulance Service, highlighting concerns over long shifts, low morale, and high levels of abuse and stress.
James O’Connell, Unite’s lead health negotiator, has slammed the government’s decision, calling it a betrayal of NHS workers.
He warned that failing to implement the reduction now adds further strain to an already stretched workforce.
He dismissed assurances that the full-hour reduction will happen next year as unrealistic, predicting further delays and broken promises.
Unite will now consult its members on the next steps, with all options on the table.
