Strike pay

Strike pay refers to payments made by a trade union to workers who are on strike as help in meeting their basic needs while on strike, often out of a special reserve known as a strike fund. Union workers reason that the availability of strike pay increases their leverage at the bargaining table and actually decreases the probability of a strike, since the employers are aware that their employees have this financial resource available to them if they choose to strike.

Whilst some trade unions make payments to members who are on an official strike there is no requirement to do so. The UK government makes the presumption that workers on official strike action are being paid strike pay, and so they may not be entitled to state benefits.

A strike fund is a reserve set up by a union ahead of time (through special assessments or from general funds) and used to provide strike pay or for other strike-related activities.

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