Border Force workers are to strike over Christmas in a row over pay, jobs and conditions, the Public and Commercial Services union has announced.
The walk-out will affect Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff airports for eight days from December 23 to New Year's Eve.
Those Border Force officials are primarily responsible for checking passports.
The union has already announced strikes at the Department for Work and Pensions, the Highways Agency, with driving examiners and among other government agencies.
The union’s General Secretary Mark Serwotka warned the strikes would “escalate" each week unless the Government compromised by putting “money on the table now".
He raised the prospect of co-ordinated action with other unions involved in disputes.
He said: “We, like nurses and teachers and paramedics and other people in the public sector have no option but to take industrial action because our members currently are skipping meals, not being able to put the heating on at home because the poverty they are living in.”
He added that the campaign of industrial action was one that is “designed to be escalated” if the Government did not meet the union’s demands. Around 1,000 Border Force workers will take part in the strike.
“Like so many workers, our members are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis,” he said.
“They are desperate. They are being told there is no money for them, while they watch ministers giving out Government contracts worth billions of pounds to their mates.
“Some sections of the media have accused us of playing politics with these strikes. Let me be clear: our dispute is with the employer.
“We will fight to improve our members’ pay, terms and conditions regardless of who is in Downing Street.”
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Our priority is to ensure passengers get through the border safely and as quickly as possible.
“We are working closely with airlines and Border Force on mitigation plans for potential strike action by Border Force officers and these plans will now be implemented for the notified days.
“The Home Office advises that immigration and customs checks may take longer during peak times on strike days, and Heathrow will support Border Force to minimise these impacts with the aim of processing passengers through the border as efficiently as possible.
“Passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline before travelling. We encourage all parties to resolve this dispute quickly."
The airport pointed out that the workers involved in the strikes are employed by the Home Office, not Heathrow.
PCS members at the port of Newhaven will also strike on the same days.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We are disappointed at the union’s decision to strike on the proposed dates which will cause an inconvenience to the public and businesses.
“We are working closely with all UK ports and airports and have robust plans in place to minimise any delays if strike action goes ahead. However, passengers should be prepared for disruption.
“Those intending to travel over strike days should plan ahead and contact relevant travel operators before travelling to check how the proposed strike action will affect their journey.”
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Rishi Sunak promised “new tough laws" to curb the impact of industrial action as he criticised “unreasonable" union chiefs.
Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer had urged to do more to resolve a growing wave of industrial action, as ambulance and healthcare workers prepare to join rail worker in striking.
