British authorities are training military personnel at Heathrow and Gatwick airports as the country gears up for a major strike over the Christmas period.
The troops would be used to cover passport control while Border Force workers take industrial action over pay disputes.
In a statement, the UK Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) urged the government to settle the dispute between staff and the British Home Office with extra money and not armed forces.
“Our Border Force members are specialists in their fields and can’t be replaced by people with just days of training,” PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said.
“The home secretary says she isn’t ‘willing to compromise on security at the border’ but she’s happy to use untrained military personnel to break a strike by workers.
“Our members have been offered a pathetic two per cent pay rise, one of the lowest offers across the economy.
“If she’s serious about resolving this dispute, she should put money on the negotiating table, not uniformed soldiers in our airports.”
Last week, the PCS confirmed more than 1,000 Border Force officers would strike at UK airports London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff for eight days over Christmas.
Potentially bringing chaos to the busy holiday travel period, industrial action is set to take place every day, except the 27 December, between 23-31 December.
“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,” Serwotka said when announcing the strikes.
“We will fight to improve our members’ pay, terms and conditions regardless of who is in Downing Street.”
Travelling through UK airports
According to ITV News, a Home Office spokesperson said it was “extremely disappointed with the union’s decision to strike and the significant inconvenience this will cause to travellers over the Christmas period”.
“We continue to work closely with all UK ports to assess the impacts of this announcement,” they said.
“Whilst we have robust plans in place to minimise any delays, passengers should be prepared for disruption and take action to plan ahead.
“Those intending to travel into the UK over strike days should keep up-to-date with the latest advice from operators to check how the proposed strike action will affect their journey.”
