[user104658]

Thing is, there's this idea that it's some noble mission, and people say if someone doesn't like the pay they should have chosen another career... but the only alternative choice to healthcare staff asking for improved pay (if they don't want to work for peanuts) is indeed for them to not go into healthcare in the firstplace.

But we need healthcare staff. And the same people complaining about workers striking also complain (endlessly) if we import staffing from other countries.

You have to choose one. Make it an attractive career for people to get themselves the education and training to go into, or accept more and more staff via immigration. People just have this "I don't want us to do either of those things " mindset but no alternative solution.