Leeds nurses and NHS workers organise protest over lack of pay rise
Nurses and NHS workers in Leeds have planned a march through the city in a row over pay.
The Government has announced an above-inflation pay rise for 900,000 public sector workers, including teachers and doctors.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said public sector workers had made a "vital contribution" to the country during the coronavirus pandemic.
But nurses are not included in the pay rise as a separate three-year pay deal was negotiated in 2018.
Members of 13 unions representing hospital cleaners, nurses, security guards, physiotherapists, emergency call handlers, paramedics, midwives, radiographers and other NHS staff across England voted to accept the deal.
These workers will not receive an additional pay rise this year.
Tens of thousands of nurses and NHS workers have joined a national campaign against the 'pay inequality.
Peaceful protests have been organised across the country at 11am on Saturday, August 8.
Nurses, NHS workers and supporters will march through Leeds, starting outside the Black Prince pub at City Square and ending at Millennium Square.
Protesters say they will maintain social distancing and wear masks.
Mandy Bellfield, 58, has worked as a nurse in Leeds for more than 40 years and will be attending the march.
She said: "Like all of my colleagues I am appalled that my profession and other members of the NHS family will not receive a pay rise this year. We don't feel valued.
"A lot of my colleagues on the frontline have had first-hand experience of the pandemic. We're all angry and frustrated at the Government.
"We've had so much support from the public. Anyone from the general public can come down to support us on the march, the more then better."
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