Gatwick and Heathrow border force workers resume strikes
Members of the armed forces are stepping in once more
Border Force workers at Gatwick and Heathrow airports are starting their second four-day period of strike action today (Wednesday 28th December).
Workers with the PCS union who operate passport booths are walking out as part of escalating industrial action by civil servants in a dispute over pay, jobs and pensions.
Members of the armed forces will be stepping in once more in an effort to prevent disruption.
Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Glasgow airports will also be affected.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Our members have been offered a pay rise of just 2% at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is above 10%.
"We know our action will cause widespread disruption and inconvenience to people in eastern England and the Midlands - hundreds of driving tests have been cancelled already in other parts of the country - but the Government is to blame.
"These strikes could be called off tomorrow if Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt put some money on the table."
Meanwhile, PCS workers who are driving examiners will also launch a five-day strike from today in the same dispute
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) in 71 test centres in eastern England and the Midlands will walk out.
They are employed by the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA) as driving examiners and local driving test managers.