UK Border Agency - PCS Strike 8/9 March 2010: for information
The PCS union has called a strike from 7am on Monday 8 March until 7am on Wednesday 10 March.
This note is to keep you informed: key Border Force contacts at a local level will be keeping individual port operators appraised of the latest situation for their specific locations, and port operators can then share this information with the relevant airlines, ferry companies and other stakeholders who are likely to be impacted. Below is a summary of the action we will be taking to minimise disruption, which our local Border Force contacts will share with port operators.
Additional information
The strike will affect UK Border Agency staff within the UK and at juxtaposed controls in Calais, Coquelles and Dunkerque. The impact of the strike, however, will be different at individual ports, airports and international rail terminals based on a number of factors including:
· The proportion of UK Border Agency staff at the port who are members of the PCS;
· The number of staff who choose to strike on either or both days;
· The number of volunteers who we are able to deploy to support frontline operations.
The UK Border Agency has implemented its contingency processes to manage the situation and to ensure that at least minimum numbers are available to provide border control over the period of the strike.
Whilst we will maintain operation of our border control, we do expect a certain amount of delay for those passing through our controls.
Our advice to passengers/customers
UKBA is not advising customers to avoid travelling, but we are taking steps to ensure those who pass through the border on strike days are aware that they may be affected by the dispute through delays or minor disruption. Posters will be placed in prominent places highlighting the potential for delays, and we will also seek to supplement this with tannoy announcements where possible.
Port operators and carriers
We would be grateful if port operators and carriers could reinforce messages in relation to the strike, letting customers know about the potential disruption, and giving advice on facilitating their journey through ports by having travel documents, including passports, available and taken out of any wallets, as well as using automatic e-Passport gates where they are available.
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