Vibrant picket line kicks off latest round of Heathrow walkouts
The first day of the latest Heathrow Border Force strike action got off to a brilliant start with reps and members out on a vibrant and playful picket line.
More than 500 PCS members in Border Force at Heathrow airport started 3 days’ strike action today in an ongoing dispute over a new roster that has been imposed.
It will be followed by 3 weeks of action short of a strike that will include a work to rule and overtime ban running from 4 to 25 June.
The officers, who work in terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, took 4 days’ action last month. They are striking after managers imposed a new roster that has seen more than 250 staff losing their jobs or being moved on to other work against their will.
New members join the picket line
Despite the grey skies and drizzle, reps organised a picket party this morning with summer fete games to enjoy with their families during half-term and welcomed brand new members who had never been on strike before on to their picket line.
Despite the gruelling longer shifts the new roster has forced them to work, the mood on the picket line was hopeful. The new TUC megaphone petition in support of the strikers has gained hundreds of signatures in just a few hours, and the picket line was the biggest they had seen in years.
With that momentum behind them, they are hopeful Heathrow's senior management team will listen to their concerns and offer meaningful changes to the roster.
Show your support
- Show your support by signing the petition calling for a fair Border Force roster and share it on your socials and with your friends.
- Send messages of support to editor@pcs.org.uk
Not yet a PCS member? Join online today.