Warning of Delays: UK Passport Staff Go on Strike

Travellers arriving at UK airports may encounter significant delays as Border Force staff responsible for passport checks initiate a series of strikes demanding improved pay and working conditions.

Impact on Travel

Over 1,000 employees have commenced strike action, affecting passport control desks at major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, and the port of Newhaven in East Sussex. The strike, spanning until early Monday, will resume from December 28 to early December 31.

Contingency Measures

To mitigate disruptions, military personnel and volunteers will replace striking workers, while the UK Home Office has deployed officials from other departments as backup staff.

Potential Disruptions

With over 10,000 scheduled flights and approximately 250,000 arriving passengers on Friday alone, significant delays are expected. Departing flights are unlikely to be affected, but arriving passengers, especially those unable to utilize e-Gates, may face delays.

Parallel Strikes

In tandem with the passport staff strike, Royal Mail postal workers are also striking, alongside National Highways workers in London and the south-east. This collective action reflects a broader pattern of industrial unrest amid demands for wage increases commensurate with inflation.

Winter of Discontent

Rail workers, represented by the RMT union, will commence strike action from Saturday evening until December 27, affecting certain services. Additionally, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency employees will strike in northwest England and Yorkshire and the Humber on Friday and Saturday, with further strikes anticipated nationwide.

Sector-wide Unrest

Bus drivers in south and west London plan a strike on Saturday, with subsequent strikes in January, while NHS staff have staged strikes earlier in the week. The government’s refusal to negotiate on pay has exacerbated tensions, as workers seek relief from the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Conclusion

The convergence of strikes across various sectors underscores mounting discontent among workers grappling with economic pressures. As industrial action disrupts travel and essential services, stakeholders are urged to seek resolution to alleviate the strain on both workers and the public.