NHS workers and their allies joined forces to demand better wages as part of a demonstration in Colchester.

Health workers and supporters gathered at the war memorial in High Street on Saturday morning.

In a moving event the names of NHS staff who lost their lives in Essex and the east of England were read out.

Speeches were given by nurses about life working on the pandemic front line.

It was one of a number of events which took places across the UK by health workers who have missed out on a public sector pay rise

Health service staff were excluded from the wage increase for around 900,000 public sector workers announced a couple of weeks ago because they are in the final year of a three year pay deal.

Instead they are due a pay rise next April, but unions want the Government to show its appreciation for NHS staff by bringing it forward to this year.

Gazette:

More than 500 health workers have died so far following exposure to coronavirus.

The socially distanced demo was organised by Colchester Coronavirus Action Group and Colchester People’s Assembly.

Gazette:

Elisa Vasquez-Walters, a member of both groups, said: “These NHS workers have been putting their lives on the line.

“The names of every NHS worker in our area who died were read out.

“I was moved to tears by it. The fact every region had names to read out is very sobering.

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“It is really important given the claps and the appreciation given these workers have something more tangible.

“This particular pay move was such a massive slap in the face.

“We have heard from staff who say they are never going to get over what they have seen.

“That is terrible for anybody doing their job.”

Gazette:

Hundreds of people across the UK joined events calling for better wages.

This included marches in London. Marchers were applauded by members of the public as they headed to Downing Street and chants of “Boris Johnson hear us shout, pay us properly or get out” were directed towards Number 10.

Gazette:

They also fell silent for two minutes as a mark of respect for colleagues who have lost their lives fighting Covid-19.