At lunchtime I went along to join Unite members, including Leader of the Labour Group Cllr Gill Mitchell at the NHS Day of Action outside the Royal Sussex County Hospital. This peaceful protest was about a below inflation pay deal for NHS staff. The three-year offer of 7.99% equates to a pay cut. Whilst I recognise that budgets are tight at the moment, our dedicated healthcare workers should not be expected to pay the price for the credit crunch.

Unite represents a wide range of health care professionals, including health visitors, psychologists, sexual health advisers, mental health nurses, opticians, caterers, porters and cleaners amongst others. For more information on the “Cut my pay – No Way!” campaign visit http://www.amicustheunion.org/default.aspx?page=8633

After the demonstration, I went to lunch with Siobhan Endean, their National Equalities Officer and her gorgeous new baby to catch up on the news. Then it was home to bake a few cakes for the summer Patch Festival tomorrow afternoon and rehearse my speech for the Compass/Progress debate in the morning.

Tags: NHS

Posted on July 18, 2008 in Health.