UK Border Force Officers to Strike at Heathrow Airport
Workers at the Heathrow Airport, UK. Photo: X/ @MarioNawfal
August 16, 2024 Hour: 1:28 pm
Passport controllers have been in dispute with their employer since a new roster was imposed in April.
On Friday, the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union announced that hundreds of border force officers will go on strike at London’s Heathrow Airport starting from Aug. 31.
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The PCS Union, one of the largest unions representing British civil and public servants, announced that the new strike dates are from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3. This will be followed by a work-to-rule and overtime ban lasting until Sept. 22.
The union also noted that 650 PCS members working in passport control at Heathrow’s terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 have been in dispute with their employer since a new roster was imposed in April.
“Since then, around 160 staff members have left because of the lack of flexibility and changes to the shifts,” a statement on the union’s website said.
“The dispute revolves around enforced changes to terms and conditions, including inflexible rosters and restricted flexible work options, which have led to significant staff departures… PCS leaders stress that the strike could be avoided if management addresses workers’ concerns,” outlet Aviation 24 explained.
The PCS statement also noted that long-standing staff were forced out due to childcare and family commitments. Meanwhile, new staff have had their requests for flexible working denied, despite legal changes allowing such requests from the first day of employment.
The union said that members have already participated in seven days of strike action in April, May, and June, as well as actions short of a strike, such as work-to-rule and an overtime ban.
teleSUR/ JF Source: Xinhua
