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Immigration staff vote to strike Immigration staff vote to strike
(about 1 hour 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.
In a ballot, 78% voted to stage a walkout over plans to merge the duties of immigration and customs staff, the PCS's Alex Flynn said.In a ballot, 78% voted to stage a walkout 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 strike beginning 5 August.It gives the go-ahead for a possible two-day strike beginning 5 August.
A spokesman for the UK Border Agency said contingency plans would be put into place to minimise disruption. The UK Border Agency said contingency plans would be put into place to minimise disruption.
In a statement, it said it was "very disappointed that one union branch has taken this action".
But the union said travellers would face delays if the dispute was not resolved and the 1,200 staff affected were to take action.But the union said travellers would face delays if the dispute was not resolved and the 1,200 staff affected were to take action.
'Little effect''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.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.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 FlynnPCSOur 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.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.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."Obviously we want to avoid inconveniencing the public," Mr Flynn added.
"But our members want to continue doing the jobs they signed up for."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.""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. Jonathan Sedgwick, deputy chief executive of the UK Border Agency said they had made "concerted efforts" to reach an agreement.
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. "It is revealing that only around 25% of the union's staff voted to strike," he said.
"Contingency staffing plans would be in place to ensure the public receive business as usual service." "However, we have taken all necessary steps to ensure the border remains secure and the public protected.
"While we are committed to keep talking to avert any action, we are confident that if it does take place it will have very little effect on the operation of our business."
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.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.