Thousands of NHS workers took to the streets across the UK on Saturday, demanding fair pay and genuine recognition for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic. More than 30 marches were planned, with anger mounting over what unions describe as a lack of meaningful action following weekly applause for healthcare workers.
Last month, the government announced a pay rise for NHS doctors but excluded nurses and other staff, a move unions called 'the final straw' after real-terms cuts of thousands of pounds to nurses' pay since 2010 due to wages not keeping pace with inflation. At a protest in central London, Dave Carr, a critical care nurse at St Thomas' Hospital, said working during the crisis was 'the hardest thing I've ever done in my life' and that he was 'fuming' at the absence of a pay increase.
Carr added: 'There's a lot of PTSD around among colleagues and many are worried about the possibility of a second wave. We can't do the job any more. We had to shut down the NHS to fight Covid and now we're expected to just turn it back on. We're absolutely on our knees.' Protesters marched from Whitehall to Downing Street, chanting: 'Boris Johnson hear us shout, pay us properly or get out.'
In Glasgow, demonstrators held signs reading 'Covid hero pay rise zero' and 'Who saved you Boris?' Melanie Gale, a senior charge nurse who ran a Covid-positive ward, said: 'We're here today to say we have had enough, we deserve our equal pay. It's 10 years of not being given a proper pay increase.' Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon told the crowd that 'warm words do not pay people's bills.'
Protests also took place in Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and elsewhere. Dr Tony O'Sullivan, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, accused the government of 'abusing the goodwill and commitment' of healthcare workers, noting 44,000 nurse vacancies. A Royal College of Nursing survey of 42,000 staff found 36% were considering leaving the profession, with most citing pay as a factor.
