Travellers planning to enter the United Kingdom territory starting from February 17 until February 20 will be subject to longer wait times at border controls after UK Border Force workers has announced a strike.
The strike comes following the ongoing dispute related to paying, jobs as well as working conditions, VisaGuide.World reports.
The United Kingdom’s Home Office, while confirming the decision through a statement stressed that about 1,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services at four United Kingdom ports will walk out for a period from February 17 until February 20.
According to Euronews, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka regarding the issue blamed ministers who are refusing to put money on the table for the strike.
Through a statement, the Home Office said that the action will affect travellers reaching the UK through the following juxtaposed ports: Port of Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles Channel Tunnel Termina.
While urging the travellers to check before planning to head to the UK, the Home Office warned that there would be significant disruptions.
The statement notes that military personnel, as well as civil servants and volunteers from across the government, are being trained in order to support Border Force at ports and airports in the United Kingdom, in case of potential strike action.
Border Force is ready to deploy resources to meet critical demand and support the flow of travellers and goods through the border, however, those entering the UK should be prepared for potential disruption,” the statement reads.
Serwotka also noted that the planned strike in the Border Force will also affect those returning from their holidays during the half-term period.
Since the United Kingdom officially left the European Union, both territories’ travellers are now subject to strict entry rules.
A report provided by Euronews notes that on February 1, the Border Force officers participated in many coordinated strikes, involving teachers, as well as civil servants and train drivers. In these strikes, about half a million workers participated.
It has also been reported that during the Christmas Border Force Strikes passport controls at Gatwick, Heathrow, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham were affected. Border Force staff at the port of East Sussex and Newhaven were also included in the strike.
As a response, the government drafted over 800 military personnel as well as a civil servant to staff entry gates.
It was reported that during the strike more than 10,000 flights carrying over 2 million passengers reached the affected airports.
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