Border Force staff at UK’s largest airports resume strike action

Border Force staff at the UK’s largest airports have resumed strike action over pay, jobs and working conditions.

The 1,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) are striking for four days until December 31.

Military personnel and civil servants have been drafted in to cover the strikers at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow airports.

More: Initial reports suggest minimal impact on first day of border strikes

Heathrow said the “vast majority” of journeys will be unaffected, but warned passengers arriving at the airport who are not eligible to use eGates may experience longer wait times at Border Control.

Border Force strikes which ran from December 23 to 26 caused minimal disruption as they fell during a time of low passenger traffic, but union leaders have warned the action could continue for six months if the government refuses to negotiate.

Elsewhere, ground handlers at Heathrow confirmed they had called off strike plans over the New Year period following a pay deal with Menzies.

Rail disruption will also continue today (December 28) and on Thursday, with TSSA union members at Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains on strike.

Further rail strikes are planned between January 3 and January 7 inclusive.