Air Canada workers did it. So did Canada Post staff and Canadian National Railway Co. labourers, too.

Over the last few years, scores of Canadians have walked off the job in hopes of landing higher pay and better working conditions.

While striking often gives more leverage at the bargaining table, it also comes with a sacrifice: an interruption in pay that can stretch on for days or weeks and in the worst cases, months or years.

Experts say navigating any interruption in wages takes plenty of planning that should begin long before your union heads for the picket line.

“When we’re a year out from bargaining, it’s time to put a little bit of savings away just in case,” said Marty Warren, national director of the United Steelworkers union.

While no one can predict whether a strike will h

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