UK medics protest, seeking pay raise after coronavirus pandemic struggle

Hundreds of health care workers rallied in British cities on Saturday, demanding government ackwledge ir hard work during coronavirus pandemic with a hefty pay increase.

In London, demonstrators -- most wearing masks and observing social distancing -- marched to gates of Downing Street, home to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, chanting, “Boris Johnson, hear us shout. Pay us properly or get out.”

Medics have been hailed as heroes during pandemic by government and public. But some say a dece of public spending cuts by Johnson and previous Conservative prime ministers left state-funded National Health Service struggling to cope.

A placard carried by a protester in Glasgow, Scotland, said “Eugh empty praise. (Give us) a fair raise.” Ar re: “Who saved you, Boris?”

Johnson contracted COVID-19 and spent three nights in intensive care at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London. He later thanked staff re for saving his life.

Nurses, care assistants and junior doctors are angry that y were left out of plans to give an above-inflation pay raise to almost 1 million public sector workers because y have a different contract with government.

Dave Carr, a critical care nurse at St. Thomas’ Hospital, said working through outbreak was “ hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life and we’re all exhausted.”

“We’re on our knees, absolutely on our knees. And on top of it y give 900,000 public sector workers a pay rise — and I haven’t got a problem with that — but y carve us out,” he said.

“I’m absolutely fuming. Tired and fuming. We’ve h eugh.”