Nurses, care staff and students gathered outside Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) on Thursday to hold up plaques and cheer on fellow 'comrades' during the city's first official nurse strike.
Thousands of nurses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have today begun the first of two days of striking over pay conditions. A walkout is set to take place on December 20.
Today, outside the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), hundreds of nurses, fellow unions, and supporters gathered to picket in solidarity and call out the government for failing to pay nurses a fair wage. The Royal College of Nursing wants a 17 per cent pay rise for staff and has said that below-inflation increases are not only affecting their lives but also the lives of patients.
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The government has acknowledged the pay increase but says the demand is unaffordable. Patients face losing appointments and valuable care due to falling retention of nurses and fewer people going into training to become a nurse.
Outside the LGI today, the atmosphere was warm and loud, much in contrast to the -3C weather.
One nurse, who has worked at the trust for almost 40 years and will soon retire was there showing her support. She told LeedsLive: "I've been a nurse for 37 years, I'm here to support my younger colleagues, I am coming to the end of my career now.
"We need fair pay for nurses, to keep our nurses in the profession and give them a reason to come into the profession. They need support and we need to keep them so we can get experienced nurses into the hospital because that is what we are sadly lacking at the moment."
Several other unions including the Communication Workers Union (CWU) came out in solidarity with the nurses. Kevin Patterson, vice president of Leeds Trades Council, who help to organise unions throughout the city, said: "We are here supporting the nurses and other health workers.
"We've had 10 years of austerity, with little to no pay rises and I think all the trade unions are trying to stand together saying we are all affected by the cost of living crisis, we've all got to come together, to help each other, support each other and unions have been coming together and will continue to do so."
George, the leader of Leeds Student Staff solidarity, a group who support striking staff across the city was there with his group to show support. He said: "I am a post-graduate researcher at the University of Leeds and we are proud to be here today and support the nurses.
"I don't think it's fair that during the pandemic we clap for carers and not give them the pay rise. They do so much hard work and I think they are well overdue a pay rise, many students and groups are standing in solidarity for the nurses and we will be with them every step of the way until they get the fair pay deal."
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