Heathrow faces 72-hour mayhem at Passport Control as Border Force strike hits
Passport checking agents began a 72-hour strike yesterday (FRI) and huge queues have been seen building up at Britain's busiest airport.
Huge queues have been pictured at Heathrow Airport today as a three-day strike by Border Force agents has sparked long delays at passport control.
The agency began a 72-hour walkout yesterday (FRI) and it already seems to be causing misery for air passengers arriving at the UK's busiest airport this morning.
Pictures from the huge transport hub showed rows and rows of passengers waiting in line as they are forced to negotiate automatic machines to enter the country.
Many families are returning from half-term getaways this weekend and thousands of football fans are expected to travel to London today for the UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley.
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said more than 500 of its members working on passport control at terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 were taking action in protest at new rosters being imposed.
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The union claimed more than 250 staff were facing losing their jobs or being moved on to other work against their will and said those who remain will have longer shifts, inflexible shift-swapping rules, no clarity on booking leave and no way to work around caring responsibilities, the PCS claimed.
The overall dispute between the union and the Home Office is set to last for another three weeks, with workers sticking to a ban on overtime and other measures short of a strike.
Border Force staff already staged a four-day walkout at end of April in the same dispute.
The Government introduced a controversial new law last year aimed at ensuring a minimum level of service during strikes, including Border Force and the railways.
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But it has not been taken up in strikes which have been held since the legislation was passed.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are aware of the planned strike activity at Heathrow this weekend. Border Force have robust plans to minimise disruption and keep the border safe and secure.
"We recommend that passengers check the latest advice from their operators before travelling."
A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport said: “Heathrow is fully operational, passengers are flowing through the border smoothly with Border Force providing a good level of service for arriving passengers.
"We are working to support Border Force’s plans to continue the smooth operation of the airport during this period of industrial action.”
