People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin this week joined the ‘Pay Rise Or We Rise” rally organised by health and social care unions at Altnagelvin.
Said Cllr Harkin: “Whether Stormont is up or down and whether there is an election or not – health and social care workers should receive above inflation pay rises.
“The health service is under strain because of decisions made in Westminster and Stormont. Government parties have failed to protect the NHS and have failed to properly value its workforce.
“One thing is clear: when Stormont parties went along with Tory privatisation, workers and trade unions have consistently led the fight for pay equality and in defence of the health service.
“The 2019 strike by health unions had tremendous public support and forced an end to Stormont deadlock and inaction.
“Healthcare workers shouldn’t have to strike but they are being given no choice.
“Trade union unity is sending a powerful message. Government priorities must be shifted to properly fund the health service and for workers to be fairly paid.
“Industrial action backed-up by cross-community people power mobilisations are the key means of winning real pay rises, lifting morale and defending the health service.”
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