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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Alasdair Clark

'Clapping doesn't pay our bills' - 400 NHS staff hold pay protest outside Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

Around 400 NHS staff held a protest outside the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh today to demand pay rises.

A socially-distanced protest was organised by UNISON Scotland, who represent many NHS Lothian staff.

Placards read 'Clapping Doesn't Pay Our Bills', and people wore T-shirts with the same motto, while some protesters also carried flags.

The action is part of the union's "Pay Up Now" campaign which is calling for pay rise for all NHS staff.

Willie Duffy, UNISON Scotland's head of health, praised the 400 health workers who protested outside the hospital.

He said: "It went very well.

"We had thousands of UNISON members out across the length and breadth of Scotland.

"Outside the Royal Infirmary we had around 400 people and got good attendances outside other hospitals.

"We've got a meeting with the cabinet secretary this afternoon and will tell her the strength of feeling among our members.

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"It's extremely important they're recognised for the work they do.

"Health workers were the lowest paid public sector workers over the past few years.

"It's lower than what waste disposal workers and teachers get.

"If it's good enough for them then it's good enough for us."

Jeane Freeman, the Scottish Government's cabinet secretary for health, has agreed to meet with UNISON members to discuss their demands.

Tam Waterson, chair of UNISON’s health committee, said: “We’re glad the Cabinet Secretary for Health has agreed to meet with our members, to listen to their concerns and hear why the Scottish Government must reopen the three-year pay deal.

“Our dedicated NHS staff have suffered real-term pay cuts over the last decade with significant extra costs over this pandemic. This includes extra childcare costs because they are working extra shifts; extra transport costs because of restricted public transport; extra costs because they have being isolating from family; or even extra laundry costs and buying personal PPE.

“These are just ordinary people thrust into extraordinary events and they deserve our support. It’s time for the Scottish Government to do the right thing, to reopen pay talks and to Pay Up Now.”

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