Heathrow Airport, the busiest hub in Europe, is set to experience significant travel disruptions as over 600 Border Force staff, part of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, have declared an extensive strike stretching across most of September. The industrial action, prompted by ongoing disagreements over alterations to employment terms, begins on the last day of August and is scheduled to run until the 3rd of September. This initial strike will transition into a work-to-rule phase, where employees strictly adhere to their contractual hours without undertaking overtime, lasting until the 22nd of September.
The root of the discontent lies in a new roster system implemented in April, which has led to considerable upheaval among the staff working across Heathrow’s terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. The PCS union has highlighted that the enforced changes have not only resulted in about 160 Border Force employees leaving their positions due to inflexibility and shift alterations but have also placed undue strain on those with caring responsibilities, forcing some to choose between their job and their families. Fran Heathcote, the PCS general secretary, has voiced concerns over the impact these changes are having on staff, stressing that the dispute could be resolved should the employers address the grievances of their employees.
The union has pointed out that the new shift patterns have disproportionately affected women and those with caring duties, with requests for flexible working hours being denied for newcomers. In response to the announced strike, Heathrow officials have declared their intention to collaborate closely with the Border Force to implement contingency plans to mitigate the impact on travellers. This industrial action adds to a series of strikes undertaken by PCS members earlier in the year, which had already seen a mix of full walkouts and work-to-rule protests.
As a precautionary measure, the Home Office has previously arranged for members of the armed forces to receive training to fill in for striking Border Force staff at critical points of entry into the UK. This move saw soldiers being prepared to undertake basic border security duties, including passport checks and the identification of illicit activities such as drug trafficking and people smuggling, with training reportedly lasting less than a week. The looming strike action raises concerns over potential delays and disruptions at Heathrow, urging travellers and the airport authority to brace for a challenging period ahead.
News Team
