Porters at Dundee’s hospitals will return to work within days after four months of industrial action.
Striking staff voted by a large majority to accept a pay offer from NHS Tayside bosses that will see their wages increase.
All 114 porters have been raised to Band 2 salaries in line with colleagues at other Tayside hospitals and they will also receive one-off payments understood to be £1,800 from the health board.
The decision to accept the offer was greeted in low-key fashion following a ballot of members at a city social club. One in 10 voted to reject the deal and left saying they were “disappointed” with the outcome.
Nonetheless, it ends 12 weeks ofcontinuous strike action anddemonstrations during which time staff from other parts of Ninewells and Royal Victoria hospitals have been forced to undertake dual roles.
Unite regional organiser Colin Coupar said: “I’m pleased to say that after a long-running dispute matters have now resolved.
“There will now be a phased return to work and talks will begin with NHS Tayside tomorrow to work out the details.
“No-one wanted this dispute and I don’t imagine that NHS Tayside relished it either and so, after four months 12 weeks of that on strike I’m glad it’s over.”
NHS Tayside chief executive Lesley McLay said the health board had made significant compromises despite the fact that an independent report did not find in Unite’s favour.
She said the new roles would see porters “undertake the full range of Band 2 portering duties, giving them a higher salary, improved career prospects and improved working conditions”.
“We are very pleased to announce that all Band 1 porters will now return to work at Ninewells and Royal Victoria hospitals,” she said. “We look forward to welcoming them back.
“The safe and effective delivery of care to our patients has always been our priority throughout this dispute.
“Staff helpers have made a remarkable contribution in keeping our patients safe and ensuring they received all the treatments and diagnostics they required during this action and we remain very grateful to them.”
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “The conclusion of these matters is in the best interest of patients and I am very pleased to see both parties reach this end point.”
She hoped both parties would continue talking “constructively”.