THOUSANDS of public sector workers engaged in strike action yesterday, demonstrating opposition to a range of Stormont economic measures.
There was widespread impact in terms of postponed hospital appointments, schools closed and public transport shut down, causing disruption and inconvenience to those who had to work.
After the strike, the focus will be on what will happen as a result of the rallies, protests and stoppages.
The main source of discontent appears to be key elements of the Stormont House Agreement, which in any case has been plunged into uncertainty as a result of Sinn Féin's decision to withdraw support for welfare reform proposals.
Many people will share concern over a reduction in the public sector by 20,000 jobs. However, as the already over-subscribed civil service redundancy scheme has shown, thousands of public servants are prepared to leave with substantial pay offs, many of them also entitled to generous pension arrangements.
It is difficult to see how the unions will stop this tide but there is a responsibility on government to spell out how they propose to maintain services with fewer people.
The DUP is firmly supporting the Agreement as the best way to tackle the serious financial problems facing Northern Ireland and yesterday appeared unmoved by one of the biggest strikes seen in recent years.
But the picture with regard to Sinn Féin was far less clear. Elected representatives voiced support for protests against the very measures the party has signed up to, including the devolution of corporation tax.
The party fended off accusations of double standards but the contradictions are all too apparent. Among those striking yesterday were teachers and support staff protesting at 1,500 likely job cuts announced by a Sinn Féin minister. It is little wonder the public has a cynical view of politics.
While yesterday's day of action was generally conducted in good spirits, the mood between the unions and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service was distinctly frosty.
It has to be said there are long running issues within the ambulance service in relation to pay, increased pressures and stretched resources.
On Thursday afternoon crews said they would only respond to life-threatening emergencies. Later that night management declared a major incident, which required all staff to report for duty.
The ambulance service said this was necessary because only seven crews were available to cover the entire north.
This has caused anger among staff although a lot of people will feel management took appropriate action to safeguard the public.
Paramedics do a vital job and have broad support but we cannot have lives put at risk.
It is important that both sides now move to ensure longstanding grievances are resolved.