Border Force officers at London's Heathrow Airport are set to go on a three-day strike, which the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) warns will likely cause
significant disruption. The strike will take place from August 31 to September 3, followed by a work-to-rule action, including a refusal to work overtime, lasting until September 22.
The dispute involves 650 PCS members and centers around "enforced changes to terms and conditions," according to the union. The Home Office, responsible for Border Force agents, has been contacted for a response.
The industrial action, which began in April, is primarily concerned with the introduction of "inflexible rosters," according to a PCS spokesperson. Fran Heathcote, the PCS general secretary, stated, “Our hard-working members at Heathrow take great pride in keeping our country’s border safe, but many are being forced out of the job they love." She highlighted that staff are being forced to choose between their job and caring responsibilities.
Heathcote acknowledged the potential for serious disruption to travelers at the end of the summer but emphasized that the strike could be avoided if the employer addresses the concerns of the workers.
A spokesperson for Heathrow directed inquiries to the Home Office but noted that the airport has managed to work through industrial actions in the past and will aim to minimize disruption.
This upcoming strike follows a previous action by PCS members at Heathrow Airport in late April. Photo by dannyman, Wikimedia commons.