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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Immigration staff vote to strike | Immigration staff vote to strike |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Holidaymakers are facing disruption after the PCS union said immigration officials working for the UK Border Agency have voted for strike action. | Holidaymakers are facing disruption after the PCS union said immigration officials working for the UK Border Agency have voted for strike action. |
| Members voted by a large majority to take action over plans to merge the duties of immigration and customs staff, the PCS's Alex Flynn said. | Members voted by a large majority to take action over plans to merge the duties of immigration and customs staff, the PCS's Alex Flynn said. |
| It gives the go-ahead for a possible two-day walkout beginning 5 August. | |
| A spokesman for the UK Border Agency said contingency plans would be put into place to minimise disruption. | A spokesman for the UK Border Agency said contingency plans would be put into place to minimise disruption. |
| 'Little effect' | |
| The dispute centres around changes to working practices and shift patterns following the merger of immigration and customs staff after the creation of the UK Border Agency. | |
| According to the PCS, the merger means immigration staff would have to carry out custom officers' duties for which they have not been trained, such as strip searches. | |
| Our members want to continue doing the jobs they signed up for Alex FlynnPCS | |
| The union also says proposed changes to shift patterns would mean a reduction in take-home pay. | |
| Mr Flynn said the union had been holding talks with management which were due to be discussed by the executive committee of the PCS's immigration section. | |
| "Obviously we want to avoid inconveniencing the public," Mr Flynn added. | |
| "But our members want to continue doing the jobs they signed up for. | |
| "Management were trying to introduce changes so that you would have immigration officers doing jobs for which they were not trained." | |
| A spokesman for the UK Border Agency insisted disruption would be minimal. | |
| He added: "If industrial action does take place border controls will be maintained and there will be little effect on the work of the UK Border Agency. | |
| "Contingency staffing plans would be in place to ensure the public receive business as usual service." | |
| The results of the PCS ballot come after unions representing 14,000 cabin crew at British Airways have warned of strikes over management plans for job losses and a wage freeze. |