I may be a bit out of step with the majority here, but what makes anyone think that they are entitled to an annual pay rise? I've spent most of my working life in UK manufacturing engineering and have lost count of how many years went by without a payrise. If your employer is not making enough money, how do they find more to increase the wages bill? Sure it is annoying when those at the top of the organisation award themselves pay increases or other benefits whilst those doing the actual work get zero, but that's life. Same as the best way out is to find another,better paid job but if you cannot, then so be it, you just have to accept a fall in your standard of living. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer but a strike won't change things.