Trade unions will hold a rally in Derry on Monday, October 26, before a delegation addresses a council committee on health service cuts and pay demands.

The rally is scheduled for 3.30pm in Guildhall Square, followed at 4pm by a presentation to the committee in the Guildhall from representatives of UNISON, UNITE, RCN and NIPSA.

Damien Doherty, chair of Derry Trades Union Council, said the council supports the campaign led by healthcare workers opposing cuts, demanding pay justice, and opposing what he described as cherry-picking by healthcare corporations.

He said proposed cuts would have a devastating impact on safe staffing and the health service, which needs investment rather than austerity to address A&E pressures and waiting lists.

Doherty said healthcare workers continue to be denied pay raises due last April. He described it as unacceptable that Stormont is unable to deliver a 3.3 per cent pay rise for Western Trust workers and a Real Living Wage for domiciliary care workers, while MLAs received pay increases.

He also noted that some healthcare workers have been attacked and demonised because of their place of birth or skin colour.

Doherty encouraged people to attend the rally on October 26.