Sorry - I started writing and found it hard to stop...
No I wouldn't support a strike - I think rather than look at what you don't have, try and list the terms and conditions of your employment with a more neutral mind. Then compare this with the statutory minimum levels - which are there because many employers would pay and give less if they could.
Yes it appears that many public sector workers feel 'undervalued', and I think a lot of this is created by a 'group mentality' effect - all the 'normal' gripes and moans have been turned outwards - oh look there's a filthy toilet that needs cleaning, it's the government's fault for not providing enough cleaners - not oh look there's a filthy toilet and I can't see a cleaner about so I suppose I'd better clean it so it's ok for the patients, even though I really don't want to and it surely isn't my job.
There is a huge wastage of public funds throughout the public sector generally because of the lack of accountability, lack of 'business' acumen and budget control, an inability to streamline the non-human resources and a tradition of turning a blind eye to blatantly 'wrong' things - from the small to the hugely negligent - because if you're going to 'rock the boat' you'll soon be out.
People-wise it appears that rarely the best progress in their careers accordingly, in fact for leadership positions it seems those keen to progress their own needs do better than those keen to progress their institution for the good of all.
The present government inherited huge public debt and despite all the cuts, public expenditure has increased. The recent decades of public sector 'professionals' working 25 or so years before retiring on a final salary pension at 55, with incremental as well as promotion pay rises, secondments (if you fancy a little change or your workplace would really like to get rid of you but it's too difficult to sack you), the 'free whilst receiving full salary' access to career-orientated qualifications, the widespread acceptance of 'stress' as a valid reason for extended periods of paid sick leave, the post-early retirement return to the workplace in a different role...and on and on...
These and many other things are unsustainable...we all need to feel a bit of pain. When I started 'grafting' at 15 - full on full-time hard labour work, I was to retire at 60 and receive my state pension, this has gradually moved to 66 and will probably be at least 67, so although I've very nearly qualified for my full state pension already, I'll have to work even longer before I can get it. So rather than 8.5 years to wait it's currently 14.5, not quite doubled but nearly. I have done few jobs in which I felt 'valued' by employers (hence I've been primarily self-employed for nearly 20 years) and where I have been valued it's been shown with appreciation and not an hefty pay packet. I have found value in doing the best at whatever job I do, so I'm cleaning a toilet I'm going to clean it really well. I chose this 'working life', rejecting the 'pathway' to 'recognized' success that I was expected to follow and I don't regret it.
All my nearest family work in the public sector, I can honestly say it hasn't made any of them nicer people, their character and individuality and ability to undertake 'random acts of kindness' in an 'unrecognised' way has been replaced by a smugness they link to their 'value' through their job titles. The retired deputy head never really liked children much and their parents were even worse but she liked her post-retirement part-time SEN 'consultant' job - particularly when her workplace would decamp to a seaside hotel for a few days for some "team bonding", the nurse having put in minimal effort to turn her Diploma into a mediocre 2:2 Degree whilst fully funded on full salary is rewarded with money, power (and no waiting time for a knee replacement needed due to her obesity) and now feels the need never to wish to help another human being again unless she's paid for it - she actually used to be quite nice; and the ex-policeman - pensioned out early due to PTSD, helped by his wife's reminders to look depressed if he opened the door or left the house - "Face" she would say to him. And how the Civil Servant even ended up being one in the first place is bad enough - just take it that it helps if your boyfriend is one, and when he kicks you out because you're a selfish twunt -that means 8 months off sick with stress and a transfer to a lovely job, allegedly helping 'war veterans', although you had no time of day for the 'veterans of wars gone by'.
These are examples of people I know very well and I can think of many more examples of people that have become similar through joining the public 'workforce'.
To all of you stop moaning about your job and everything about it, find your 'value' not from me or anyone else but through doing the best at the job that you do - do it well irrespective of the conditions. Care about it more than your own sense of importance and you will find that others will value you too and appreciate you more for it.