However, unions representing staff on AfC in Scotland – including the Royal College of Nursing and Unison – stated they had already rejected the idea of an interim pay rise and that the announcement had been made without their prior notice or consultation.
They have now urged Ms Freeman to change her course and start negotiations straight away, claiming there was “no reason for a significant delay”.
“The offer that has been made to our members is not substantial or reflective of what they deserve”
Mary Ross Davie
“Our members deserve an immediate substantive pay rise and we, therefore, cannot pretend we are anything other than deeply disappointed and our members are angry that the Scottish Government has chosen to make this unilateral announcement, effectively side-stepping the overdue need for pay negotiations to begin,” the unions stated in a letter dated 2 March.