Security and Passport Staff at Heathrow Airport Announce Strikes in May
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A group of PCS members carried out picketing outside the Glasgow Passport Office at the start of this month.
Airport and passport workers have decided to continue their protests next month in regards to their ongoing issue with salaries. The strikes have been increasing in frequency, and this new announcement adds to the tension surrounding the matter.
According to the Unite union, security personnel at Heathrow Airport are set to engage in another eight-day round of industrial action come May.
At the beginning of May, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have announced that they will have a strike with over 1,000 of the Passport Office staff.
The organization known as the FDA will conduct a vote for strike action among high-level government employees.
The most recent updates made by the three trade organizations arrive in the middle of a surge in strikes conducted by many workers from various industries within the last 12 months.
Arguments often arise due to payment issues, wherein labor unions demand an increase in salaries to cope with the escalating expenses.
Around 2,000 individuals who are members of PCS and employed as passport examiners stationed in offices located in Southport, Peterborough, Newport, London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Durham and Belfast have been conducting a strike since the 3rd of April.
Between 2 to 6 May, a group of 1,000 individuals assigned to non-examination tasks will be joining them at the same offices. Furthermore, interview officers from Birmingham, Corby, Hemel Hempstead, Leeds, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Plymouth will also be present from 3 to 6 May.
Last week, Mark Serwotka, the general secretary of PCS, expressed his disappointment at the governmental decision to provide his employees with a salary increment of only 4.5% to 5% for the fiscal year 2023-2024. He claimed that the government has offended his staff with their decision.
Over Easter, 1,400 security officers employed at Heathrow Airport went on a 10-day strike. Now they are planning to go on strike for eight more days. These additional strikes will take place on May 4th to 6th, May 9th to 10th, and May 25th to 27th.
According to Unite, the strikes are likely to cause significant inconvenience and delays for passengers who are intending to attend the King's coronation. This is due to Heathrow's refusal to provide an offer that meets the expectations of its members.
In January, Heathrow presented striking staff with a noteworthy pay raise of 10%. However, during discussions that occurred last week, it revealed an enhanced offer. This new proposal included an extra lump sum of £1,150 that would be granted to employees during this year.
According to the airport, Unite is declining to present the updated proposal to its members.
According to a representative from Heathrow, they successfully maintained smooth airport operations throughout the primary 10 days of Unite's industrial action. The spokesperson added that travelers could trust that they would continue to provide the same level of service during the current situation.
Prior to the recent strike, British Airways had scrapped nearly 300 flights.
The FDA consists of a wide range of professionals from civil service, including the highest-ranking permanent secretaries. Its members comprise of policy advisers, diplomats, lawyers, tax professionals, economists, statisticians, and museum curators.
This marks the initial occasion where the union has authorized a nationwide vote supporting a strike concerning payment in over four decades.
Following the recent ruling by the authorities, civil servants will now receive an increment in their salaries ranging from 4.5% to 5%.
