Border Force staff at Heathrow, represented by the PCS union, have voted in favour of striking against proposed shift pattern changes feared to lead to job losses, calling for the Home Office to negotiate.
Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport, represented by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), have voted substantially in favour of going on strike, with a 90% affirmative vote among 600 members. The heart of the dispute lies in the proposed changes to their shift patterns, which are feared to lead to nearly 250 job losses in passport control. These proposed adjustments have spurred concerns among the staff, prompting the potential for industrial action beginning as early as April 8, although no specific dates for the strike have been confirmed.
The PCS and its members are actively challenging these proposed changes, suggesting that they would negatively impact workers by forcing them to either accept the new terms or seek alternative employment within the Home Office. Fran Heathcote, the PCS General Secretary, has voiced the union’s determination to protect its members’ jobs and working conditions, calling on the Home Office to revisit the proposed changes and engage with the union to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution.
In response to the looming threat of strike action, the Home Office has stated its commitment to maintain public safety and border security, emphasizing the implementation of contingency plans in collaboration with Heathrow Airport to minimize any potential disruptions. The Home Office’s response highlights the importance of ensuring that passenger and goods flow through the airport is not adversely affected by the proposed industrial action.
This situation underscores the ongoing tensions between operational changes proposed by the Home Office and the job security concerns of Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport. As negotiations continue, the focus remains on finding a balance that preserves both border security and the welfare of the workforce involved in passport control and immigration checks.