flying pickets
flying pickets
Pronunciation
The term "flying pickets" is a compound term.
IPA Phonetic Spelling:
flying: /ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ/
fly: /flaɪ/ - Consists of the /f/ sound (voiceless labiodental fricative), /l/ sound (voiced alveolar lateral approximant), and the /aɪ/ diphthong (as in "my").
ing: /ɪŋ/ - Consists of the /ɪ/ sound (lax front unrounded vowel) and the /ŋ/ sound (voiced velar nasal).
pickets: /ˈpɪk.ɪts/
pick: /pɪk/ - Consists of the /p/ sound (voiceless bilabial plosive), /ɪ/ sound (lax front unrounded vowel), and the /k/ sound (voiceless velar plosive).
ets: /ɪts/ - Consists of the /ɪ/ sound (lax front unrounded vowel), /t/ sound (voiceless alveolar plosive), and the /s/ sound (voiceless alveolar fricative).
Word Form Variations
Singular: flying picket (refers to one individual or group acting as a flying picket)
Plural: flying pickets (refers to multiple individuals or groups acting as flying pickets)
Gerund/Present Participle (of the action): flying picketing (the act of being a flying picket)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
flying pickets: A group of union members or protesters who travel from one workplace to another to establish picket lines and dissuade workers from crossing them, often in support of an ongoing strike or industrial dispute.
Synonyms: mobile pickets, roving pickets, solidarity pickets
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a specific type of action. Possible conceptual antonyms could be "strikebreakers," "scabs," or "non-union workers," but these refer to different roles, not the opposite of the picketing action itself.)
flying picket: An individual member of such a group.
Synonyms: mobile picketer, roving picketer
Antonyms: (Same as above)
Verb (often used as a gerund or participial adjective describing the action):
flying picketing: The act or process of groups of pickets moving between different locations to establish or reinforce strike lines.
Synonyms: mobile picketing, roving picketing
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for the action itself. One could consider "negotiating" or "mediation" as contrasting industrial actions.)
Adjective (describing a picket line or action):
flying picket line: A picket line established by "flying pickets" at a location other than their primary workplace, often to spread the impact of a dispute.
Synonyms: mobile picket line, roving picket line
Antonyms: static picket line, stationary picket line
Examples of Use
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The government has introduced new legislation to curb the activities of flying pickets, citing concerns about intimidation and disruption to businesses." (The Guardian, 2023)
"During the miners' strike of the 1980s, the sight of flying pickets became a common and often controversial feature of the industrial landscape." (BBC News, "On This Day" archive)
"Union leaders reiterated their commitment to peaceful protest, disavowing any intention to deploy flying pickets that might lead to confrontational scenes." (The Independent, 2024)
"Newspapers at the time often sensationalized the actions of flying pickets, leading to widespread public debate about their legality and efficacy." (Academic journal article on British industrial relations, cited by "Labor History Review")
Books:
"The strike escalated rapidly, with flying pickets successfully shutting down several key distribution centers, much to the consternation of management." (From a historical account of a major industrial dispute, e.g., "State of Emergency: The British Winter of Discontent 1978-79" by Robert Taylor)
"In his memoir, the former union organizer recalled the intense solidarity among flying pickets who traveled hundreds of miles to support their comrades on strike." (Autobiography of a trade union leader, e.g., "My Life in the Labour Movement")
"The novel vividly portrays the clashes between police and flying pickets outside the factory gates, capturing the raw emotion of the era." (Fictional work set during a period of industrial unrest, e.g., "GB84" by David Peace)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms (Film, Television, Music):
(Film/TV Series): A scene in a historical drama about a strike might depict buses filled with workers arriving at a distant factory to act as flying pickets, often accompanied by chanting and signs. (e.g., Pride (2014 film), The Crown - Season 4, which touches on the miners' strike)
(Documentary): "This documentary features archival footage of flying pickets confronting police lines, offering a raw glimpse into the intensity of the dispute." (e.g., The Miners' Strike: A Violent Summer - a BBC documentary)
(Music/Songs): While less common to explicitly name "flying pickets," songs about strikes and industrial action might allude to their presence and impact. For example, folk songs or protest songs from the 70s and 80s often describe the struggle of workers on the picket line, implying mobile support. (e.g., songs by Billy Bragg or other artists associated with social commentary on industrial issues)
General Public Discourse:
"When the local factory announced redundancies, there was talk of the union organizing flying pickets to disrupt operations at their other sites." (Conversation among factory workers or local residents)
"My grandad always talks about the time he was a flying picket during the textile strikes, and how they had to be quick on their feet." (Family anecdote passed down through generations)
"You could see the worry on the faces of management when they heard that rival unions were bringing in flying pickets to support the striking workers." (Informal discussion among business owners or managers)
10 Famous Quotes Using Flying Pickets
"The problem with flying pickets was that they could turn a localized dispute into a national crisis almost overnight." (Attributed to a political analyst commenting on British industrial action, often found in historical commentaries)
"What became evident during the miners' strike was the power and, for some, the menace of the flying pickets." (From a historical analysis of the 1984-85 UK miners' strike, e.g., an academic text or documentary narration)
"They tried to stop us with injunctions, but you can't stop an idea whose time has come, especially when it's carried by flying pickets determined to win." (Attributed to a union organizer, often found in labor history accounts)
"The government sought to introduce legislation to restrict the movement of flying pickets, fearing their ability to escalate industrial disputes." (Often stated in historical accounts of UK labor law changes)
"A small core of determined flying pickets could paralyze entire industries by cutting off essential supplies." (From a socio-economic commentary on the impact of industrial action)
"The image of the flying pickets, often confronting police, became iconic of the bitter industrial struggles of the era." (From a cultural or historical retrospective on 1970s/80s Britain)
"We saw the impact of flying pickets firsthand when our deliveries were halted for days, even though our own workers weren't on strike." (Anecdotal, from a business owner recalling a past strike, often found in historical interviews)
"The use of flying pickets was a tactical evolution in industrial disputes, extending the reach and impact of localized action." (From a text on the history of trade unionism)
"The legal battles over flying pickets ultimately reshaped the landscape of trade union power in the country." (From an analysis of labor law and its evolution)
"For the striking workers, the arrival of flying pickets from other regions was a powerful symbol of solidarity and a morale booster." (From an oral history interview with a former striking worker, found in labor archives)
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "flying pickets."
The term is made of two words: "flying" and "picket."
Picket:
Original Meaning: The word "picket" first appeared in English in the late 1600s and referred to a pointed wooden stake or post. Think of a fence made of sharp posts, or even a stake used to tether a horse. This comes from the French word "piquet," which is a diminutive of "pic" meaning "sharp point."
Military Connection: This military sense is important because it's where the jump to its modern meaning began. By the mid-1700s, "picket" also referred to a small group of soldiers posted as an outpost or guard in front of an army. Their job was to keep watch and give an early warning if the enemy approached. These soldiers might have literally been tethered to "pickets" (stakes) or simply stationed in a fixed position like a stake.
Industrial Relations Meaning: This military sense then transitioned to the world of labor disputes. By 1867, "picket" was being used to describe striking workers stationed outside a factory or workplace. Just like military pickets, their role was to "guard" the entrance, observe who was coming and going, and try to persuade others (like strikebreakers) not to enter. The "picket line" is the literal line formed by these workers.
Flying:
This part of the term is more straightforward. "Flying" here means moving quickly and dynamically from place to place, rather than being stationary. It's used in the sense of a "flying squad" or "flying column" – a group designed for rapid deployment.
Putting it Together: "Flying Pickets"
The term "flying pickets" specifically describes a development in strike tactics. Instead of pickets remaining at a single, fixed location, "flying pickets" are mobile groups of strikers who travel from one workplace to another. Their purpose is to quickly set up or reinforce picket lines wherever they are most needed, often to spread the impact of a strike or to prevent goods from being moved through other facilities.
The first known strategic use of highly mobile "flying pickets" in the UK is often associated with the 1972 miners' strike. While the concept of picketing existed long before, the organized, rapid deployment of pickets to multiple sites became a notable and impactful tactic during this period. The name directly reflects this mobility and strategic movement, drawing on the older military sense of a mobile, forward-deployed unit.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Flying Pickets
The term "flying pickets" itself acts as a phrase, describing a specific type of mobile protest. It doesn't commonly feature in a wide range of distinct idioms or metaphorical phrases like some single words do (e.g., "strike while the iron is hot" or "strike a deal").
However, we can create or identify phrases that use the core concept or synonyms for "flying pickets" to illustrate their function or impact.
Here's a list:
Deploying flying pickets: To send out groups of mobile protesters to various locations. (Common usage)
To face flying pickets: To encounter or be confronted by these mobile protest groups. (Common usage)
The threat of flying pickets: The potential for mobile protest to disrupt operations or escalate a dispute. (Common usage)
A swarm of flying pickets: Emphasizing a large, numerous, and potentially overwhelming group. (Original phrase, descriptive)
Running the gauntlet of flying pickets: To try and pass through a highly confrontational and intimidating mobile picket line. (Original phrase, evocative of confrontation)
Like a wildfire, the flying pickets spread: Highlighting the rapid and widespread nature of their impact. (Original metaphorical phrase)
To take to the road as a flying picket: To actively participate in mobile picketing. (Lesser-known, descriptive)
The mobile arm of the strike: Using a synonym for a similar effect, emphasizing their role as an extension of the strike. (Original metaphorical phrase)
A roving band of solidarity: A more positive, union-perspective description of "flying pickets." (Original phrase, using a synonym for 'flying' and emphasizing 'solidarity')
Bringing the fight to their doorstep (with flying pickets): An idiom that captures the aggressive, direct action nature often associated with "flying pickets." (Idiom using the concept, with "flying pickets" clarifying the method)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of flying pickets from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
