Sign the petition to support striking Heathrow workers
The TUC has launched a petition to tell senior managers at Heathrow that Border Force officers deserve a fair roster.
As over 500 PCS members in Border Force at Heathrow airport start another period of strike action in their dispute over an imposed, unfair roster, the TUC has launched an online petition in support.
The strike action on 31 May, and 1 and 2 June will be followed by three weeks of action short of a strike that will include a work to rule and overtime ban running from 4 to 25 June.
This new period of strike action follows four previous days of well-supported walk-outs on 29, 30 April, 1 and 2 May, however Home Office management have so far failed to consider the impact of the new roster on staff or put forward any proposals to improve the roster..
The TUC Megaphone petition explains how “the new roster, imposed on 29 April, has forced hundreds of valued, experienced Border Force Officers to leave their jobs. Those left behind struggle with longer shifts, inflexible shift-swapping rules, no clarity on booking leave, and no way to work around caring responsibilities.”
It highlights how “Border Force Officers at Heathrow are responsible for admitting travellers into the country, and for detecting and preventing possible security risks. Their experience and expertise is vital to the security of our borders. In order to perform this vital role, Border Force Officers need a shift roster that gives them a healthy work/life balance, allows them to perform their duties to their full potential without being exhausted by long shifts, stops them worrying about finding short-notice childcare, or struggling to work around their medical needs.”
It asks that the senior management team “comes back to the table with PCS, and discusses workable and meaningful changes to the roster.”
Show your support
You can also show your support for the strike by emailing editor@pcs.org.uk or by visiting the “picket line garden party” from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Nene Roundabout on Friday 31 May.
Not yet a PCS member? Join online today