I KNOW I’m not alone when I say that, over the past six months, as we have got to grips with guidelines, restrictions and the pandemic itself, we have seen the very best of people.

We’ve seen community stalwarts come together to work with each other to provide essential groceries, prescription delivery, mental health support, money advice and so much more.

We’ve also become familiar with the term ‘key worker’ - those frontline staff who, from day one, have stepped up to continue delivering their essential tasks and lifesaving services that so many rely on. They are the people who ultimately have kept our city and country running.

Last month I joined many of those essential workers, as well as activists from GMB Scotland outside Glasgow City Chambers.

I listened to their stories of lockdown, the struggles they have faced, the legitimate concerns around health and safety that they raised. Their words have stuck with me.

I felt it was important that I went there to show solidarity – not just because I am a proud GMB Scotland member, but because I wanted to say thank you in person to just some of the heroes.

And that’s why I was very proud to second a motion at full council last week which not only paid tribute to all those workers who have gone above and beyond during this crisis, and recognised that this pandemic has revealed the true extent to which we all depend on these essential services and the staff that carry them out – but additionally pledged to support a pay rise for these frontline workers.

I know this pay rise is just the beginning and I am interested in proposals presented by GMB Scotland around how we could go one step further in providing a one-off Covid payment to those key workers, who, during the most uncertain of times for our city, put their own lives at risk to deliver services.

I look forward to continuing those conversations with the trade union.

For weeks we stepped outside along with our neighbours, many of them essential workers themselves, to show our appreciation for all their hard work. We applauded, we placed rainbow posters and messages of support in our windows showing how proud we were of them. And while our gratitude was no doubt appreciated, it is not enough. We must match it with action for those to whom we owe so much. I hope by working together at all levels of government and crucially, listening to those key workers who have been on the ground since day one, that we can secure a lasting thank you for these heroes.