Britain's NHS workers walk off job in largest strike in organisation's 75-year history

abc.net.au - 07/02
Health workers are demanding a pay rise to compensate for the worst inflation in Britain in four decades, but the government says it cannot afford it.

Tens of thousands of British nurses and ambulance service staff have walked off the job as part of a pay dispute, in the National Health Service's (NHS) largest strike ever. 

Key points:

  • The strike is the biggest in the NHS's 75-year history
  • Workers are asking for a rise to match inflation
  • The British government is urging workers to call off walkouts

Following the industrial action on Monday local time, nurses will also walk out on Tuesday, ambulance staff on Friday, and physiotherapists on Thursday, making the week likely the most disruptive in the NHS's 75-year history, its medical director, Stephen Powis, said.

Health workers are demanding a pay rise that reflects the worst inflation in Britain in four decades.

The government says it cannot afford it, and the move would only cause more price increases, making interest rates and mortgage payments rise further.

Nurses say their wages are not keeping up with the cost of living.(Reuters: Peter Nicholls)

"The government needs to listen and disc...
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