Workers at the UK’s aviation regulator have voted “overwhelming” in favour of strikes over the Civil Aviation Authority’s failure to offer a “fair and affordable” pay increase.
At a ballot held by Prospect union, members employed by the CAA voted 67 per cent in support of industrial action, meanwhile 87 per cent voted in favour of taking action short of strikes.
The union said its members “voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over the employer’s refusal to provide a fair and affordable 2023/24 salary increase”.
Mike Clancy, general secretary of prospect union, said: “More than a decade of real terms pay cuts have left our members at the CAA with no choice but to take industrial action.
“During the initial stages of the pandemic they did their part by taking a pay cut to enable their employer to continue to function. This show of good will has not been returned and inadequate pay levels are having a serious impact on recruitment and retention at the CAA.
“The employer can still avert this industrial action by coming back to the table with a meaningful offer that addresses the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. If they do not do so, then the CAA’s status as a world-class aviation regulator is at risk.”
🚨 Prospect members at the Civil Aviation Authority vote overwhelmingly to take industrial action over pay ✈️
67% who voted in the ballot did so in favour of strike action, and 87% voted in favour of taking action short of a strike. pic.twitter.com/3YcRNfjUnh
— Prospect Union (@ProspectUnion) August 22, 2023
The union also said an internal poll found that, of its members employed by the CAA, 42 per cent of are considering leaving the organisation due to poor pay and reward, excessive workload, lack of recognition and not feeling valued by the organisation.
However, it is yet to outline the course of industrial action and when it will take place. This is the first time a ballot on industrial action has taken place at the CAA.
In response to the result of the ballot, Rob Bishton, interim chief executive at the CAA, said: “It is disappointing that some members of the Prospect union have voted in favour of industrial action.
“We do not anticipate any disruption to the aviation sector”
Rob Bishton, interim chief executive at the CAA
“We recognise the cost-of-living challenges that colleagues face, which is why we’ve already implemented a five per cent pay rise along with a further pay increase for many staff in October.
“This increase also takes account of the interests of those who pay our charges and public sector pay policy.
“With a modest proportion of the Civil Aviation Authority’s workforce who are members of Prospect, should there be any action by our colleagues, we do not anticipate any disruption to the aviation sector. We continue to engage constructively with Prospect.”
The CAA added that around 240 employees are Prospect members, which accounts for 16 per cent – 1,500 workers – of its workforce.
Image credit: Adobe Stock
