Biggest strike in 30 years In the first strike regarding pay in over three decades , thousands of nurses , midwives and ambulance staff walked out in 2014 . Staff refused to work overtime without being paid and demanded taking their breaks . Despite this , emergency healthcare was covered and the police stepped in to assist ambulance services .

Midwives strike in Northern Ireland Following the 2014 strike , all midwives in England , Scotland and Wales were awarded a 1 % pay rise . As a result , midwives in Northern Ireland took part in a fourhour strike . Although senior midwives in Northern Ireland received a pay rise , those on lower pay bands did not .

Largest strike in NHS history Last year , nurses across England , Wales and Northern Ireland took part in a nationwide strike – the biggest in NHS history . After ministers refused to reopen pay talks , the Royal College of Nursing said they had no choice but to strike . The government described the 19 % pay rise demand as ‘ unaffordable ’.

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