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Plymouth in UNISON today led dozens of members on a brief impromptu demonstration outside UHP (Derriford Hospital) in a bid to send a message to the NHS Pay Review Board and the local employer that they will need to act this year to protect its staff from the rising cost of living.

UNISON is asking for an inflation proof pay rise for all NHS staff and both staff and patients we spoke to this morning all agreed it was both well deserved and essential for the future of the service.

Many more have signed this open letter to Sajid Javed

To: Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care; Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive NHS England; Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive NHS Employers; Chris Hopson, Chief Executive NHS Providers; Philippa Hird, Chair of the NHS Pay Review Body

The NHS workforce is in crisis – we desperately need a plan to keep dedicated, hardworking but exhausted staff in the NHS. This can only be done if together you use the powers you have to put NHS pay right. That means making sure everyone is paid fairly for the job they do and the hours they work.

  • Inflation-busting pay rise
  • End poverty pay
  • Grade us right
  • Pay the hours we work

Make sure staff feel valued, respected, and able to keep giving their all to the NHS: put NHS pay right.

 


In addition to the public message a letter was delivered to the chief exec of the hospital by one of our reps asking that they do the things in their power to support their staff such as continued Free Parking for staff

 

Branch Secretary Kevin Treweeks said ” There is a real groundswell of anger across our public services that we are always the thing they say they can’t afford to fund. If the government doesn’t find the money for a decent pay rise this year then I fear we will lose even more experienced staff to early retirements and may even see industrial action in the NHS. We’ve been saying applause doesn’t pay the bills for over a year but its becoming a real issue now, and not just for our lowest paid staff”