"What you haven't factored in is the cost of living a commutable distance from work..."
That's the same issue the majority of workers have, so isn't relevant.
I think we all know the NHS is poorly managed, and is extremely wasteful, but let's face it, we could give the NHS the whole of the UK tax-take, and they'd still be whining it wasn't enough - it never is; unless it's properly managed, we stop using the NHS to give women penises and men vaginas, and it's used for what it's meant to be used for, there'll always be a problem.
It is far from the envy of the world.
A pay demand of 19% is utterly absurd - granted that's their opening gambit and it'll never be agreed, but to have the brass balls to demand this much in the current climate (or any climate), and to strike, means they're not quite the angels we're led to believe they are.