UK Immigration Officers Possible Strike – 5th August

UK Immigration Officers Possible Strike – 5th AugustBritish travellers face the prospect of their trips being disrupted after immigration officers at airports and ports voted to strike in a dispute over working conditions. The 24-hour walk-out is due to take place next Wednesday, 5th August, after the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), which represents 1,200 immigration officers, failed to reach an agreement with the UK Border Agency over a dispute about working conditions. The walkout threatens to cause long delays at airports for passengers arriving back from their trips. The union voted 78 per cent in favour of a strike but will make a final decision next Tuesday, 4th August, about whether to go ahead with the strike. The Immigration Service Union (ISU) is poised to ballot its 4,000 immigration officer members on industrial action next week. At this stage, the strike is only a possibility and therefore ATP would like to pre-warn you of this situation and will keep you updated when we have more information. Advice
Expect long lines at the immigration and customs controls at airports, ports and Eurostar terminals across the UK on 5th August . Expect minor freight shipping delays.

Resource The Public and Commercial Services Union: http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/news_centre/index.cfm/id/E7AC4AB0-3283-4816-B22A72727A1B9A6B The UK Border Agency website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/