FIVE days after NHS staff took strike action across the region, hundreds of North-East health workers are due to take part in a TUC mass demonstration in London.

The march is taking place under the banner ‘Britain Needs a Pay Rise’ and its aim is to show the government that there is popular support for an economic recovery that works for all Britons not just those at the top.

The march aims to highlight that people want a pro-jobs, pro-growth, pro-hope, alternative to the Government’s damaging austerity policies.

Hundreds of Unison members from Durham, Teesside, Wearside, Tyneside and Northumberland will be joining the demonstration to support the march, together with colleagues from North Yorkshire.

Clare Williams, Unison’s North-East regional convenor, said: “Public sector workers are worth a pay rise. Following a successful strike of NHS staff on Monday, this is an opportunity to tell the Coalition Government that their slash and burn approach to the public sector is wrong. The public sector provides vital services that communities and individuals rely on.

We are marching for our families, our communities and quality public services.

“Following years of pay freezes and offers of below inflation pay rises, Unison members are saying enough is enough.Those in work are really struggling to balance their family finances. Public sector workers are being forced to cut back on food and heating bills; some being forced to use food banks to feed their families.

Ms Williams added: “Monday’s strike showed the strength of solidarity that there is from the public for those who deliver public services. It is time that the Government showed tangible support for public sector workers, not mere words, and gave us a decent pay rise.”