NHS: ‘We care’

Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail Unite spoke out in support of NHS workers.

She illustrated her case by pointing out that, “Our sister Jennie Formby in her wonderful speech yesterday paid a heartfelt tribute to all NHS workers – without them there is no NHS.

“Privatisation, fragmentation and cash starvation has left many underpaid and overworked – not a cliche but the plain truth.

“This is why in February, March, April, June, May, July, August and September this year Unite NHS workers have balloted and taken strike action. Among them, security staff, housekeepers, hospital cleaners, porters, pharmacy assistants, biomedical scientists and health visitors.

“From the length and breath of Britain – Southampton, Newcastle, Liverpool, Lincolnshire, Birmingham, Solihull, Tayside, Frimley, Barking, Havering and Redbridge. Security workers striking for stab jackets, health visitors striking to break a three year pay freeze and conference workers striking for the very essence of our NHS against privatisation.”

Cartmail continued, “Workers providing NHS care and support services don’t ask for our tea and sympathy – they want our solidarity – on their picket lines and demonstrations, support for their strike funds.

“And it is time to call to account every MP or councillor whose political dogma see hospitals as potential cash machines in a dodgy deal with Trump. It was Cameron who said the NHS is safe in our hands – he lied. Labour created the NHS, only Labour can save our NHS, only Labour truly respects the workers who now desperately need our support.

“It is time to show them all that we care. Whose NHS? Our NHS.”