Border Force employees who check travel documents at British airports and ports will go on strike over the holidays, raising the prospect of great inconvenience for Christmas and New Year visitors.
The strikes were announced for 23 to 26 December and 28 to 31 December and affect London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow airports and the Port of Newhaven.
This is the latest in a series of strike announcements by many sectors of workers in the UK, both public and private sector, demanding higher pay rises amidst inflation exceeding 11%.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, of which the strikers are members, said the action was in response to inadequate rises given by the government, as well as the "threat" of job cuts and changes to pension terms.
The union is demanding a 10% increase and better job protection
According to PCS general secretary Mark Servotka, 40.000 members are forced to resort to soup kitchens to help their families survive, while 45,000 receive benefits due to insufficient wages.
Other PCS members who have announced strike action include driving instructors and motorway network managers.
[/P]The government and the Association of Airport Managers expressed disappointment at the strike announcement. The Gatwick administration has assured that staff will be transferred to document control, while members of the government have not ruled out the use of soldiers in such posts.
Source: CNA
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