THIS Christmas was tough on many NHS workers and their families. As a trade union representative, I wish to explain why I will be taking further industrial action on Thursday in defence of NHS pay.

I want the public to understand why I feel I have no choice but to take action to send David Cameron a strong message.

The action follows an industrial ballot over the employer’s refusal to implement the Pay Review Body’s recommended one per cent consolidated cost-of-living pay increase to all staff. The wages of NHS workers have fallen by up to 15 per cent in real terms since 2010.

The NHS workforce is dedicated, talented, caring, professional, loving, innovative and totally committed to the NHS and the public knows it.

So how can this coalition government dismiss our call for only one per cent?

This has left me feeling undervalued and overworked. How can the Government boast of an economic recovery then deny us a decent pay rise again?

I am an NHS worker, I’m proud of the work that we do I will be taking part in the next day of action because I want a decent pay rise.

Michelle Hartlett, Branch secretary, York health branch, Unite the union.