UNISON leader Dave Prentis promised to “fight to make sure the government is defeated” on June 8 as he put the public service union on election footing.

He warned that NHS workers, who are represented by Unison, stand to lose everything if the Tories are voted in for another term.

“Everything that matters to NHS staff is on the line — their jobs, their wages and the UK’s public services,” Mr Prentis said.

In an address to delegates at the Unison Health Conference, Mr Prentis said that seven years of Tory government have caused “huge damage” to healthworkers who were hit once again this year by a pay freeze of 1 per cent — a real-terms pay cut.

“One per cent isn’t a pay rise. It’s a pay cut and an insult too. Especially when NHS workers go above and beyond every day, caring for patients and keeping the health service running.”

Mr Prentis told delegates that the continued pay restraints on healthcare workers shows that the “Conservatives cannot be trusted with the National Health Service — especially when it comes to pay.

“As its candidates knock on doors and appear on TV screens asking for votes, remember you can’t trust a word they say.”

Tory rule has seen broken promises on NHS funding with healthworkers being asked to do more with less, he added.

And with the general election just over six weeks away, Mr Prentis said the “NHS needs those who have the will, the spirit and the dedication to fight for it and to save it.”