Skip to main content

Home  »  UK Employment news   »   Border Force workers, ambulance crews and DWP staff are among those who will be part of the Christmas strikes

Border Force workers, ambulance crews and DWP staff are among those who will be part of the Christmas strikes

Airport

Christmas travel hit by new strikes as Border Force set for airport walkouts

Britain is set to be hit by more strike action this week across a range of industries as industrial action continues to have a major impact on the country.

More than 1,000 Border Force employees are already on strike, which will hit passport control desks at Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Glasgow airports from Friday until Boxing Day, and then again from December 28 until New Year's Eve.

More than 10,000 flights are scheduled to land at those airports during those times.

READ MORE: EUROSTAR STRIKE ACTION CALLED OFF AS UNION MEMBERS CONSIDER NEW PAY OFFER

It is feared that the strikes will result in people having to wait more than two hours in passport lines during the peak Christmas holiday season.

According to sources, contingency plans are being drawn up that would see passengers held on arriving flights to prevent overcrowding in arrival halls.

The newspaper quoted a source involved in discussions as saying: "Border Force is talking about moving staff around the country but it is a very busy period.

"Delays of two hours at the border are being routinely discussed in meetings.

READ MORE: UNION LEADER MICK LYNCH CALLS FOR AN URGENT MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER IN A BID TO RESOLVE RAIL DISPUTE

"If everything backs up, or anything fails (such as e-gates), then airports will have to instruct that passengers are held on planes to prevent overcrowding."

It was revealed on Friday that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are restricting ticket sales to Heathrow during the Border Force strike days.

Both airlines are allowing customers to change their flights to a non-strike day, and they are also reviewing schedules and ticket restrictions.

READ MORE: CHRISTMAS RAIL STRIKES WILL DEAL “CRUSHING DISAPPOINTMENT” TO WEST END RETAILERS

Ambulance workers will also go on strike this week, with 10,000 workers in England and Wales expected to walk out on Wednesday.

All three major ambulance unions will be involved, including Unison, GMB, and Unite, with GMB members striking again on December 28.

The government has announced plans to deploy 1,200 soldiers to staff ambulances and passport checkpoints, but union leaders say the military is not "sufficiently trained" for these roles.

READ MORE: WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS AND GWR ANNOUNCE MORE RAIL STRIKES AFTER CHRISTMAS

And the head of the armed forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, told The Sunday Telegraph the armed forces are busy and need to "focus on our primary role".

Royal College of Nursing members will strike for a second time on Tuesday in parts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with the union saying the government has 48 hours from the end of the strike to decide to pay negotiations - or face more widespread industrial action next year.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has continued to resist calls to negotiate on pay, instead suggesting discussion about other issues that "matter to staff". 

READ MORE: CENTRAL LONDON FOOTFALL PLUMMETS AFTER SERIES OF TRAIN STRIKES

He has said the nurses' pay demands are "not affordable" and that the government is accepting recommendations from an independent pay review body "in full".

Other strikes this week include rail workers, driving examiners, highways workers, postal workers, and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) staff.

A DWP spokesperson said: "We greatly value the work of our staff but the PCS union's demands would cost the country an unaffordable £2.4bn when the focus must be on bringing down inflation to ease the burden on households, protect the vulnerable and rebuild our economy.

Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career

"Benefits, the state pension and child maintenance payments are paid automatically and people who rely on that support will continue to receive it."

The Cabinet Office is expected to publish a new "resilience framework" today, bringing together all levels of government and including the private sector, charities and the public to "bolster" the UK's preparedness for industrial action.

Source: Sky News

Follow us on YouTubeTwitterLinkedIn, and Facebook