Gordon Rayner, and Tom Whitehead
The warning of disruption to air travel was contained in a letter from the border agency to airlines operating at Heathrow, but applies to other airports and ports Photo: AFP
Hundreds of thousands of travellers can expect long queues at passport control because 70 per cent of UK Border Agency staff are members of the striking Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).
The border agency has written to airlines suggesting they advise their passengers to “travel on an alternative day”. But most travellers will already have tickets booked and will be unable to change their plans. Delays are also expected at ferry terminals and on Channel Tunnel trains.
The PCS even suggests that there will be a “theoretical risk to security” because Britain’s borders will be “weakened” by the pressure on those staff not on strike to waive normal controls in an attempt to clear backlogs. As many as 500,000 passengers are likely to be affected by the strike, in addition to the millions of parents who will have to make arrangements for children whose schools will be closed. Countless others will be affected by the biggest walkout in a generation.
The industrial action by four unions protesting about public sector pension reform begins at 6pm today and ends at midnight tomorrow.
The strike will go ahead despite David Cameron telling union members they are wrong to take action. He insisted that the proposed changes to pensions were “fair”.
The warning of disruption to air travel was contained in a letter from the border agency to airlines operating at Heathrow, but applies to other airports and ports. About 500,000 travellers fly in and out of Britain every day, with tens of thousands more entering at ports and the Channel Tunnel.
The border agency letter says “some passengers may experience delays” and “those passengers who can travel on an alternative day may therefore wish to do so”.
The agency said it would reduce delays by putting managers and back room staff on passport control desks with non-union members.
Mark Serwotka, the PCS general secretary, said that would not be enough to prevent “severe disruptions and delays affecting both ports and airports”.
He added: “We expect longer queues and for managers to waive controls they would usually undertake.
“There will be less presence in terms of people coming and going. There is a theoretical risk to security in terms of smuggling and security of the borders, which essentially could be weakened.” The airport operator BAA said passengers coming into Britain would “have to expect delays”, while the Civil Aviation Authority warned that passengers who miss connections will have little redress.
“Passengers have no rights when it comes to being stuck in a queue at immigration,” said a spokesman.
“If there are knock-on delays and you miss your connection it is outside the airline’s control so you’re still not protected.”
Norman Shanks, the former head of security for BAA, said outbound passengers could also be affected if passport halls became congested.
He said: “In theory, passengers could be held on board incoming aircraft if that happens. That would have a knock-on effect for outbound flights because those same aircraft would be due to fly out again later in the day.”
The border agency staff check passports of travellers coming into the country. However, airline experts said long queues could lead to disruption for outgoing passengers as well because of knock-on delays. Virgin Atlantic said it was “working closely” with the border agency to cut disruption. Passengers would be kept up to date with text messages and on-board announcements.
Eurostar said it was confident its services would not be affected.
As many as 17,000 schools are expected to close or partially close tomorrow after two teaching unions joined the protest. Courts, job centres, tax offices and driving test centres will be among the services hit by the walkout of 750,000 workers.
It also emerged yesterday that teachers at some public schools will go on strike for the first time.
Masters at St Paul’s School in London will be the first members of staff in its 500-year history to take part in industrial action. Winchester College and City of London School expect small but historic walkouts by some staff.
Cheltenham Ladies’ College is expecting serious disruption after the Association of Teachers and Lecturers voted to take part in a strike for the first time.
The border agency letter says “some passengers may experience delays” and “those passengers who can travel on an alternative day may therefore wish to do so”.
The agency said it would reduce delays by putting managers and back room staff on passport control desks with non-union members.
Mark Serwotka, the PCS general secretary, said that would not be enough to prevent “severe disruptions and delays affecting both ports and airports”.
He added: “We expect longer queues and for managers to waive controls they would usually undertake.
“There will be less presence in terms of people coming and going. There is a theoretical risk to security in terms of smuggling and security of the borders, which essentially could be weakened.” The airport operator BAA said passengers coming into Britain would “have to expect delays”, while the Civil Aviation Authority warned that passengers who miss connections will have little redress.
“Passengers have no rights when it comes to being stuck in a queue at immigration,” said a spokesman.
“If there are knock-on delays and you miss your connection it is outside the airline’s control so you’re still not protected.”
Norman Shanks, the former head of security for BAA, said outbound passengers could also be affected if passport halls became congested.
He said: “In theory, passengers could be held on board incoming aircraft if that happens. That would have a knock-on effect for outbound flights because those same aircraft would be due to fly out again later in the day.”
The border agency staff check passports of travellers coming into the country. However, airline experts said long queues could lead to disruption for outgoing passengers as well because of knock-on delays. Virgin Atlantic said it was “working closely” with the border agency to cut disruption. Passengers would be kept up to date with text messages and on-board announcements.
Eurostar said it was confident its services would not be affected.
As many as 17,000 schools are expected to close or partially close tomorrow after two teaching unions joined the protest. Courts, job centres, tax offices and driving test centres will be among the services hit by the walkout of 750,000 workers.
It also emerged yesterday that teachers at some public schools will go on strike for the first time.
Masters at St Paul’s School in London will be the first members of staff in its 500-year history to take part in industrial action. Winchester College and City of London School expect small but historic walkouts by some staff.
Cheltenham Ladies’ College is expecting serious disruption after the Association of Teachers and Lecturers voted to take part in a strike for the first time.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/8604531/Public-sector-pensions-strike-threatens-holiday-chaos.html
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