Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport are set to take industrial action for 23 days due to a dispute with their employer about changes to their terms of employment. Around 650 members of the PCS union will go on strike from August 31 to September 3, followed by a work-to-rule period until September 22. The dispute arose after a new roster was introduced in April, leading to staff departures and forced changes to working hours.
PCS members, who work in passport control at Heathrow, are facing challenges balancing their job with caring responsibilities due to the new shifts. The union has expressed concerns about the impact on women and those with caring responsibilities, as well as the rejection of flexible working applications for new staff. The strike action is expected to cause disruption for travelers at the end of the summer, but the union believes it can be avoided if the employer addresses the members’ concerns.
Heathrow Airport officials have assured that they will work closely with Border Force to implement contingency measures during strike periods. The PCS members have previously taken seven days of industrial action, and in May, the armed forces were trained to cover for striking Border Force staff at ports and airports. Soldiers received less than a week of training to assist with passport checks and identify illegal activities.
The Home Office has been contacted for comment on the situation.
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