Diana, Prospect striker
On Thursday 6 September, members of the Prospect union working for the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) went on strike for the first time in the organisation’s history. This followed the first strike by members of the PCS union a few weeks prior.
The Prospect picket line was at Aviation House, near Gatwick Airport, and people from all over the organisation gathered at the entrance to the car park. Socialist Party members also came out to support the picket, with papers and flyers.
The picket was cheerful despite the cold, with cups of tea and coffee, sausage rolls, and cupcakes passed around, as it was someone’s birthday. We waved at each car that passed the picket line and held up signs and flags, including one sign that said “Honk for better pay”, which got a lot of interaction both from cars driving in and the bus drivers passing by on the street.
The topics of conversation, however, were a lot more sombre. Some picketers exchanged concerns about the political situation happening in the USA, and whether it could happen here. Others exchanged book recommendations on the effects and progress of climate change.
But the main point of discussion was how the board of the CAA had received a pay increase of up to 35% last year, whereas regular workers only got a 3% increase, and how the board also got £50,000 put into their pensions. People were understandably angry – and looking forward to the next strike, expected to happen in the next few weeks as the fight for fair pay continues.
