Has anyone been on strike? How was it financially?

[WearingMyPyjamasUntilNoon]

DH and I are both teachers in Scotland so seriously considering the possibility of us both being on strike this year.

We live fairly frugally, and we've been looking at our finances. There's not much there to cut back on- no Sky or Netflix. We do have Amazon prime but we use it quite often and we'd really miss that.

We're going to switch to meal planning and try to cut down our food bills. I also feel like we waste quite a lot of food so hopefully meal planning will be two birds with one stone.

Have had the odd day here and there (local authority) and it did make a big hit on family finances. But, what you tend to forget is that it counts as a break in service, so it can affect your pension.

I didn't know that.

I've done a few periods of a few days and then a whole week about 9 months later and it was fine. We got some strike pay which covered a little bit but I looked at it as unpaid leave and used the time to have a clear out/do some stuff round the house so felt quite productive. Remember you might pay less NI and tax and strike pay is not taxed.

Ours didn't count as a break in service, but the missing days don't count towards pensionable service but unless you are talking about months, it doesn't impact that much. Also you won't be paying pension contributions on those days either so would save that too.

Strike action does not count as a break in service.

You lose a days pay.

What would you potentially gain by striking?

The campaign is for a 10% pay rise. Whether we'll get that is a different matter.

TBH claiming my pension is so far away there's not much point worrying about that!

Only in the 80's and we had it rough but everyone did.

When we were on strike, some of the young staff joined the Union in order to strike because the strike pay was more than they earned per day so it was like a free day off. The company wasn't happy but at the end of the day, if they were paying a decent wage then they wouldn't be in that position. This was a company paying a decent return to share holders so my heart doesn't bleed! We were striking as they were slashing the pension contributions, for the 3rd time in 5 years and being pretty fucking devious about it at the same time.

I am a Scottish teacher too and DH and I (also public sector not a teacher) have been discussing what might happen if I strike for more than just a day or two. We're supporting eldest 2 DDs through FE- rent for one and transportation costs for the other. And have another 2 still at school. This combined with years of cumulative, effective pay cuts means we are pretty skint already. I'll look into temporary overdraft I suppose. I don't expect 10% but 9 months pay arrears last year was £126 - insulting.

I'm also a teacher in Scotland and was on strike once a few years ago. I think it was about 80quid out of my pay back then. Obviously no idea what you're outgoings are but if you're both top of scale you're bringing in at least 4k a month surely? Maybe try to pop a bit aside to cover the odd day.

When do you get told about strike action in Scotland? I'm a single mum. Every penny counts.

@OhioOhioOhio - you don’t get ‘told’ as such. Union members would be balloted & if enough vote for strike then a date is decided & all union members are informed. You don’t have to strike either, but if it’s something you feel strongly about you can strike & apply to the union for some financial assistance.

We’re in a similar position- both teachers, older 2 in HE/FE & youngest still at school. We’ve had to tighten our belts a bit more recently but would struggle a bit with a longer term strike. Needs must at times though!

It's nursery fees that are our biggest outgoing (well, that and our morgage).

A day or two wouldn't be so bad. Longer term and we'd be worrying I think.

I did. The union paid us a strike pay. Ours was fairly long and I had to tighten my belt, but I don’t regret it.

Academic here, as is DH.

We were both on strike across 4 weeks last year to defend our pensions

Week 1: 2 days
Week 2: 3 days
Week 3: 4 days
Week 4: 5 days

There was strike pay, but we didn’t claim it as we felt that those who were precariously employed should have first call on it.

It was pretty tough financially, but our employer allowed us to spread the deductions across 4 months, so at least it didn’t wipe out one month’s salary. We are just about recovered financially now.

Of course it turns out we shouldn’t have had to go on strike at all, as our pension valuation which precipitated the strike was completely cocked up. Still waiting for the employers to refund us our lost pay though...

Academic here too. We went on strike last year (I didn't). No savings, absolutely nothing to fall back on - it wasn't an option. Sadly.

I am a civil servant and have been on strike a few times, but only one day actions here and there. Financially I didn't really miss the money, because it isn't calculated as a straight day off, but a more complicated calculation talking into account conditioned hours, so it works out as losing less than a day's pay.

Remember you don't have to tell your employer in advance of taking action - although you will likely be badgered to give them notice.