"Don't Drive Too Much at Year-End" Alcohol Consumption Advisory Amid Ambulance Strike in the UK

Largest strike in 30 years... Strike to resume on the 28th
UK government "Wage increases will accelerate inflation"

An ambulance in the UK parked on the 21st (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News

Amid ongoing strikes in the UK public sector, including nurses and railway workers, ahead of the Christmas holiday, thousands of paramedics went on the largest strike in 30 years on the 21st (local time) demanding wage increases.

According to media outlets such as the Associated Press and The Guardian, three paramedic unions working in England and Wales did not work for 12 or 24 hours on that day.

In response to the large-scale paramedic strike, the government urged people to avoid excessive exercise, unnecessary car travel, and excessive drinking to prevent an increase in ambulance demand. Additionally, as emergency responders and emergency medical telephone counselors also participated in the strike, 750 soldiers were deployed to drive ambulances and handle logistics to minimize the impact.

Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of England's National Health Service (NHS), said that although there will be many drinking appointments at the end of the year, he hopes no one will visit emergency rooms intoxicated. A rescuer working in Crawley, southern England, told AFP, "We are not receiving the pay we deserve." He added, "There is a 30-minute break during a 12-hour shift, but it is rare to work only 12 hours; usually, we work overtime."

Nurses belonging to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) held a protest after their first general strike on the 20th. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Meanwhile, inflation in the UK is worsening, with the annual inflation rate reaching 11.1% in October, the highest in 41 years. Along with workforce reductions due to the pandemic and rising global living costs, public sector workers are hoping for corresponding wage increases. Since the 15th, the nurses' union has held its first strike in 106 years, resulting in tens of thousands of outpatient appointments and surgeries being canceled daily. According to CNN, the UK is currently experiencing disruptions to domestic and international travel due to a series of strikes by airline, railway, and bus workers.

However, the UK Conservative Party argues that if public sector wage increases reach double digits as desired, inflation will accelerate further. They also criticized the strikes by healthcare workers, including paramedics and nurses, saying that the lives of citizens are being threatened. In response, the paramedics' union plans to strike again on the 28th of this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.