Tens of thousands of nurses and ambulance service workers in the U.K. went on strike, leading to the largest ever walkout in the 75-year history of the National Health Service
The strike is part of a pay dispute, as health workers are demanding a raise to reflect current inflation levels.
The government argues that a pay increase would be unaffordable and would lead to further price rises.
The strike is expected to be one of the most disruptive in N.H.S. history, with nurses walking out on Tuesday, ambulance workers on Friday, and physiotherapists on Thursday.
Around 500,000 workers, including many from the public sector, have been striking since last summer, putting pressure on the government to resolve the disputes.
Labour leader Sir Kier Stamer wants the government to sort this issue out.
The Royal College of Nursing has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asking for a “swift close” to the strike through “meaningful” pay offers. However, a spokesperson for Sunak said that he will not be getting involved in the talks.
