copyright Mick Holder

One hundred people gathered at Whipps Cross Hospital, Waltham Forest to mark the 73rd anniversary of the formation of the NHS and to call for an end to privatisation and for a proper, decent pay rise for all NHS staff in recognition of their massive efforts during the pandemic. The event was called by Waltham Forest Trades Council and supported by Unite, Unison, Unite Community, NEU, NUJ, GMB, NHS Emergency, Keep Our NHS Public, Save our NHS, local Labour Party and the Socialist Party.

Speakers included:

Len Hockey, Unite Barts
Kevin Parslow, Waltham Forest Trades Council
Mary Logan, Keep Our NHS Public
Anna Livingston, GP from Tower Hamlets
James Ivens, Socialist Party
Tom Taylor, Labour Party
Isai Priyats, Waltham Forest Trades Council

UNIONS TO PROTEST AT WHIPPS CROSS HOSPITAL TO DEMAND PATIENT SAFETY, PAY JUSTICE & AN END TO PRIVATISATION ON THE 73RD ANNIVERSAY OF THE NHS

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As part of a national day of action in defence of the NHS, Waltham Forest Trades Council will hold a rally outside Whipps Cross Hospital. Union members who work in the NHS will be joined by local trade unionists and campaigners to demand:

• Reject the insulting 1% pay increase for NHS staff with trade union action demanding a 15% rise
• A fully publicly funded NHS and care system
• End privatisation of NHS services

Len Hockey, Unite Whipps Cross said: “Our free National Health Service was founded 73 years ago after a mass pressure of the working class. It was a service won by the struggle of trade unionists and socialists.

“But decades of austerity, underfunding and privatisations by the Tories and right-wing Labour has left our NHS in a dire situation.… Read on ...