Heathrow Border Force officers to begin half term strike

More than 500 Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport tomorrow (Friday, May 31) begin a three-day strike as families travel home from half term.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members working on Passport Control at terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5, are taking action after managers imposed a new roster that has seen more than 250 staff losing their jobs or being moved onto other work against their will.

Those who remain are struggling with longer shifts, inflexible shift-swapping rules, no clarity on booking leave and no way to work around caring responsibilities.

The TUC has today launched a petition to calling on the employer to drop the plans.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “We call on all trade unionists and the public to support this petition and tell Border Force management to scrap this unwelcome and unworkable roster that has already caused misery to our members.

“PCS has repeatedly called for more flexibility in the new roster but management has refused to listen. Until they do, and they put forward proposals to improve the roster then the dispute will continue.”

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