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Passport delay warning as five-week strike called | Passport delay warning as five-week strike called |
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More than 1,000 Passport Office workers will go on strike for five weeks over a dispute about jobs, pay and conditions, unions say. | More than 1,000 Passport Office workers will go on strike for five weeks over a dispute about jobs, pay and conditions, unions say. |
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union working across England, Scotland and Wales will take part in the action from 3 April to 5 May. | Members of the Public and Commercial Services union working across England, Scotland and Wales will take part in the action from 3 April to 5 May. |
The union warned of delays to applications and the delivery of passports in the run-up to summer. | The union warned of delays to applications and the delivery of passports in the run-up to summer. |
The Home Office said it was "disappointed" with the PCS's decision. | The Home Office said it was "disappointed" with the PCS's decision. |
A spokesperson said it had been engaged in "constructive talks" to end the dispute, adding: "We are working to manage the impact of strike action whilst ensuring we can continue to deliver vital services to the public, with comprehensive contingency plans in place." | A spokesperson said it had been engaged in "constructive talks" to end the dispute, adding: "We are working to manage the impact of strike action whilst ensuring we can continue to deliver vital services to the public, with comprehensive contingency plans in place." |
More than 4,000 people are employed by the Passport Office across the UK, meaning that according to the union figures around one in four workers will be walking out. | More than 4,000 people are employed by the Passport Office across the UK, meaning that according to the union figures around one in four workers will be walking out. |
The BBC understands strike action is being targeted to cause mass disruption and involves union members working in departments which examine passports - more than 1,300 people. | |
When are passport office strikes and how to renew your UK passport? | When are passport office strikes and how to renew your UK passport? |
Strike action: What do rail workers, nurses and others want? | Strike action: What do rail workers, nurses and others want? |
NHS 5% pay offer may end bitter dispute in England | NHS 5% pay offer may end bitter dispute in England |
When are the next train strikes? | When are the next train strikes? |
Who could have to work during a strike? | Who could have to work during a strike? |
The offices affected in England, Scotland and Wales will include Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport, Peterborough and Southport. | The offices affected in England, Scotland and Wales will include Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport, Peterborough and Southport. |
Those working in Belfast are being balloted and could join the strike. | Those working in Belfast are being balloted and could join the strike. |
At peak times - including the month of April when the strike will take place - the Passport Office can receive 250,000 applications per week, according to travel expert Simon Calder. | At peak times - including the month of April when the strike will take place - the Passport Office can receive 250,000 applications per week, according to travel expert Simon Calder. |
It means that more than one million applications could be sent during the strike period, he said. | It means that more than one million applications could be sent during the strike period, he said. |
The Home Office says the strike does not affect its guidance which is still to allow up to ten weeks to get a passport, with preparations under way to meet demand. | The Home Office says the strike does not affect its guidance which is still to allow up to ten weeks to get a passport, with preparations under way to meet demand. |
A UK adult passport is valid for 10 years, but if it is due to expire you may be refused entry into some countries. | A UK adult passport is valid for 10 years, but if it is due to expire you may be refused entry into some countries. |
Most countries require the passport you are travelling with to be valid for the duration of your planned stay, but other countries - mainly ones where you need visas for entry - require a passport with a certain period of time left until the expiry date. Guidance for each country can be found on the government's foreign travel advice website. | Most countries require the passport you are travelling with to be valid for the duration of your planned stay, but other countries - mainly ones where you need visas for entry - require a passport with a certain period of time left until the expiry date. Guidance for each country can be found on the government's foreign travel advice website. |
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the dispute was over a proposed 2% pay rise which he said was not being increased any further by the government. | PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the dispute was over a proposed 2% pay rise which he said was not being increased any further by the government. |
He added the strike action had come about because "ministers have failed to hold any meaningful talks with us, despite two massive strikes and sustained, targeted action lasting six months". | He added the strike action had come about because "ministers have failed to hold any meaningful talks with us, despite two massive strikes and sustained, targeted action lasting six months". |
He said: "Their approach is further evidence they're treating their own workforce worse than anyone else. | He said: "Their approach is further evidence they're treating their own workforce worse than anyone else. |
"They've had six months to resolve this dispute but for six months have refused to improve their 2% imposed pay rise, and failed to address our members' other issues of concern." | "They've had six months to resolve this dispute but for six months have refused to improve their 2% imposed pay rise, and failed to address our members' other issues of concern." |
He went on to say that the government was "ignoring our members" over their pay concerns but this would not make them "go away". | He went on to say that the government was "ignoring our members" over their pay concerns but this would not make them "go away". |
A strike fund worth millions, funded by a levy from PCS members, has been built up to pay staff in full during the course of the five-week walkout, the union says. | |
Last year, hundreds of thousands of people were affected by passport processing delays as coronavirus travel restrictions were lifted. | Last year, hundreds of thousands of people were affected by passport processing delays as coronavirus travel restrictions were lifted. |
The latest action from passport office workers comes after months of strikes over pay disputes in other sectors, such as rail workers, London Underground drivers, teachers, NHS staff, regional BBC journalists, university lecturers and civil servants. | The latest action from passport office workers comes after months of strikes over pay disputes in other sectors, such as rail workers, London Underground drivers, teachers, NHS staff, regional BBC journalists, university lecturers and civil servants. |
On Thursday, unions representing healthcare workers in England agreed a final pay offer with the government - which if accepted by members at a vote would bring walkouts from nurses, ambulance crews, paramedics, hospital porters and other health workers to an end. | On Thursday, unions representing healthcare workers in England agreed a final pay offer with the government - which if accepted by members at a vote would bring walkouts from nurses, ambulance crews, paramedics, hospital porters and other health workers to an end. |
Are you worried about the potential delays to passport processing? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you worried about the potential delays to passport processing? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
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Related Topics | Related Topics |
UK government | UK government |
Passports | Passports |
Strike action | Strike action |