Holiday warning as passport office workers to strike for FIVE WEEKS with ‘significant impact’ on deliveries
BRITS have been warned about holiday delays as passport workers are set to strike for five weeks amid a bitter pay dispute.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) have announced the walk out, which could impact on the processing of passports in time for the summer.
More than 4,000 PCS workers in England, Scotland and Wales will take part in the action between April 3 and May 5.
Workers in the passport office in Belfast are currently being balloted and could join the strike as well.
Offices in areas including Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport, Peterborough and Southport are expected to see major disruption.
PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka has demanded that the Government revisit the current 2% pay rise offer.
Mr Serwotka suggested that the figure would need to be increased in order to avoid further strikes.
He said: “Ministers have failed to hold any meaningful talks with us, despite two massive strikes and sustained, targeted action lasting six months.
“Their approach is further evidence they’re treating their own workforce worse than anyone else.
“They’ve had six months to resolve this dispute but for six months have refused to improve their 2% imposed pay rise, and failed to address our members’ other issues of concern.”
He added that the cost of living crisis has left many of his members using food banks, calling it a “national scandal” and accusing the Government of “ignoring” them.
It comes as the PCS have just concluded a Border Force strike this week.
Official advise urged passengers to be prepare for “long waiting times” as 130,000 staff withdrew their labour on March 15 and 16.
Meanwhile, action by other unions has seen strikes by nurses, junior doctors, teachers, rail workers, London Underground drivers and BBC journalists in recent months.
Most of the disputes revolve around pay in the context of soaring inflation and the cost of living crisis.
It was reported yesterday that ministers had agreed to offer a 5% pay boost to nurses and ambulance drivers.
Downing Street is yet to confirm the reports, but, if true, the deal would still be subject to approval by union members before it was agreed.