UK Border Force strikes to affect half-term holidays

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has announced the latest dates of strike action, which will coincide with the February half-term break, a key time for family holidays.

The strike will take place for four days from 17 to 20 February 2023.

The Home Office has stated that passengers and freight entering the UK on these dates through the Port of Calais, Port of Dunkirk, Coquelles Channel Tunnel Terminal and Port of Dover will be affected. It has warned travellers that they should ‘prepare for disruption and check before you travel’.

Passengers are encouraged to use eGates where available and when possible.

PCS General Secretary, Mark Serwotka, said: “The strikes we have announced in the Border Force will impact on holiday travel during half-term.

“For while the government brought untrained military personnel in to replace our highly-skilled and experienced officers in airports over Christmas, they won’t be able to do that in France.

He continued: “The blame for these strikes lies firmly at the feet of ministers who are refusing to put any money on the table. They say they will talk about money next year, but our members – who have been offered just a two per cent rise at a time when inflation is around 10 per cent – cannot afford to wait until next year,” he added.

Serwotka said the campaign of strike action will continue until the UK government ‘come to the table with money’ for union members.

Border Force strike action took place earlier this month on 1 and 2 February.