Marching for better

A decent pay rise for everyone

CSP representatives, members and staff stood with tens of thousands of trade unionists on 18 June to demand action on the cost of living.

Steward Jill Taylor addressed the front of the rally on behalf of all NHS workers.

There, Ms Taylor outlined the actions now required from government to protect healthcare workers and staff, including a decent pay rise for all workers now; and working with NHS employers to make sure staff are paid at the right level, and for the correct hours.

Ms Taylor also explained how these demands related to a workforce crisis in healthcare, when she spoke on BBC Breakfast prior to the march, and described the personal impact of the rising cost of living.

During the rally, CSP stewards and safety reps, students, staff, and others walked as part of the healthcare workers’ bloc, alongside the other NHS trade unions.

These unions are now collectively waiting for news of the Pay Review Body’s recommendations for NHS worker pay, and the government’s overdue pay award for England.

The CSP, alongside other health unions, has called  for urgent action to stem the tide of staff leaving the health service. It is not enough to recruit new staff: action must be taken to retain existing staff, including retention measures with an above inflation rise in pay.

We recognise that our demands won’t be met in a day – but we will continue to work with members and representatives to take them into our workplaces and communities.