“We can’t afford to strike, but we can’t afford not to strike" This is what firefighter Kasey said to us when we asked about her decision to vote to take part in industrial action as part of ongoing rows over pay and conditions. Kasey is by no means alone though. From the NHS to the transport network, Royal Mail and civil service, a wave of strikes is sweeping the UK - and are this week reaching their peak. In the new year, strike ballots for firefighters and teachers will close, while junior doctors are scheduled to vote next month. Tens of thousands of nurses held their first of two walkouts across England, Wales and Northern Ireland yesterday, sparking major disruption to services in the first such action in the national health service's history. We interviewed four people – a paramedic, a teacher, a firefighter, and a train driver – on why they are striking, the realities of being a public sector worker during a cost of living crisis and whether they are hopeful that this action could lead to meaningful change in their industry. Video: @neelamtailor + @nikhitachulani #Strikes #IndustrialAction #UKStrikes #NHS #NursesStrike #pay #CostOfLiving #CostOfLivingCrisis #union #TradeUnion #WorkersPay #Workers #WorkingConditions #healthcare #paramedic #firefighter #teacher #traindriver #trains #tube #londonunderground #tfl #railstrikes