Airport passengers are facing the prospect of travel misery over the Christmas period after a trade union announced strike action among its UK Border Force staff.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said the action would involve workers at six airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow - and also at Port of Newhaven in East Sussex.
The industrial action relates to a row over pay and conditions and is scheduled to take place over eight days, from December 23 to 26 and December 28 to 31, with about 1,000 staff expected to go on strike.
Industrial action on December 26 and 31 is expected to be finished by around 7am and military personnel are likely to be drafted in to help if the walkouts go ahead.
Many airports have e-gates now to enable some people to move through passport control quickly however there will still be others who have to be dealt with by a member staff, such as children under 12, which will inevitably cause delays.
The strike comes after 100,000 PCS members in 214 government departments and other public bodies voted to take action over a ten per cent rise, pensions justice, job security and no cuts to redundancy terms.
It is the latest strike action to be announced, following similar news among trade unionists at the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency, Rural Payment Agency, National Highways and Department for Work and Pensions.
While postal workers, tram and train staff have all been undergoing periods of industrial action throughout 2022.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The Government can stop these strikes tomorrow if it puts money on the table. Like so many workers, our members are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. 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 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."
