SCOTTISH Borders Council (SBC) has made a U-turn after initially ruling that some social care staff would not receive the full coronavirus ‘thank you’ payment.

Last year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that the Scottish Government would give every full-time NHS and social care worker £500 as a one-off payment “for their extraordinary service” through the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, according to trade union UNISON, the council originally said anyone working less than 37 hours a week would have their payment reduced as they were not classed as a full-time worker.

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Following staff concerns, SBC has now decided to give everyone who works 35 hours or above per week the full £500 “to ensure the spirit intended for the payment was recognised”.

In response to the news, UNISON Scotland's regional organiser said he wished that workers “didn’t have to threaten a mass grievance to get the council to act”.

On the U-turn, an SBC spokesperson said: “The council is very proud of the outstanding work of all our workforce during the pandemic.

“The Scottish Government bonus payment is scheduled to be paid in our May payroll and we recently advised staff of the payment calculation process.

“We were aware that the variance in standard working hours was impacting on the payment for some of our staff.

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“The council had reviewed this situation in response to individual staff raising concerns and to ensure the spirit intended for the payment was recognised.

“The payment remains scheduled for the May payroll and staff will receive the full bonus if they work 35 hours or above per week.”

According to UNISON, the deduction originally planned by the council would have seen those who worked 35 hours per week between March 17 and November 30, 2020 receive £472.97, rather than £500.

Prior to the council’s decision to award the full payment, UNISON said the Borders branch was preparing to take action against SBC over the deduction.

Greig Kelbie, UNISON Scotland's regional organiser, described the original plans as “extremely disappointing”, adding at the time: “Staff are angry that they are being forced to fight for their full thank-you payment.”

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However, SBC says it was “unaware of any grievance being raised by UNISON”, despite the monthly trade union meeting taking place on May 20, 2021.

Following the council’s U-turn, Mr Kelbie said: “We welcome that the council has seen common sense. Key workers have been working throughout the pandemic putting themselves and their families at risk.

“We just wish that UNISON didn’t have to threaten a mass grievance to get the council to act. At least we have a positive result and staff can expect their bonus payment in May.”

UNISON says it is the largest trade union representing workers in the council.