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PCS union calls off pre-Olympics border staff strike PCS union calls off pre-Olympics border staff strike
(about 1 hour later)
A strike which threatened to disrupt immigration controls on the eve of the Olympics has been called off after progress in peace talks.A strike which threatened to disrupt immigration controls on the eve of the Olympics has been called off after progress in peace talks.
The PCS union had been planning the action in protest at job losses.The PCS union had been planning the action in protest at job losses.
Ministers argued that "procedural errors" with the ballot meant it should not go ahead.Ministers argued that "procedural errors" with the ballot meant it should not go ahead.
PCS leader Mark Serwotka said "major progress" had been made in talks, with 1,100 jobs to be created. The Home Office welcomed the PCS decision. PCS leader Mark Serwotka said "major progress" had been made in talks, with 1,100 jobs to be created, but the government denied changing its stance.
Immigration and passport workers at Heathrow and other airports had been among those due to take action on Thursday.Immigration and passport workers at Heathrow and other airports had been among those due to take action on Thursday.
In a ballot earlier this month, 57% of PCS members taking part voted for industrial action - although ministers say only 12% of total union members participated.In a ballot earlier this month, 57% of PCS members taking part voted for industrial action - although ministers say only 12% of total union members participated.
About 16,000 union members were balloted across the Home Office, including in the Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and the Criminal Records Bureau.About 16,000 union members were balloted across the Home Office, including in the Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and the Criminal Records Bureau.
'Seen sense' 'Fig leaf'
The PCS says 8,500 Home Office jobs are at risk as a result of government cuts, including the threat of compulsory redundancies at passport control and immigration offices.The PCS says 8,500 Home Office jobs are at risk as a result of government cuts, including the threat of compulsory redundancies at passport control and immigration offices.
Mr Serwotka said: "We are not ending our dispute today... what we have done is not call action in the next few weeks." Mr Serwotka said: "We are not ending our dispute today. What we have done is not call action in the next few weeks."
He added: "These are professional frontline staff who want to be able to serve the public and have the resources to do so."He added: "These are professional frontline staff who want to be able to serve the public and have the resources to do so."
Mr Serwotka said there there would now be "significant" investment in 1,100 permanent new jobs, and criticised the government for not announcing the news.Mr Serwotka said there there would now be "significant" investment in 1,100 permanent new jobs, and criticised the government for not announcing the news.
But immigration minister Damian Green said he did "not recognise that figure at all".
He told BBC News: "They knew the strike was irresponsible and likely to be destructive... I'm glad to say the government has not made any concessions at all. I'm glad the union has taken this decision."
On the PCS's claim that new jobs were being created following the talks, Mr Green said: "It's quite clear that the union leadership need some kind of fig leaf for their climbdown.
"The eyes of the world are upon us and we can now get on with enjoying the Olympics."
Ministers had sought a High Court injunction against the PCS, saying there were "procedural errors" in its ballot, relating to 12 union members working in Brussels and Paris.Ministers had sought a High Court injunction against the PCS, saying there were "procedural errors" in its ballot, relating to 12 union members working in Brussels and Paris.
The union announced the cancellation of action around 45 minutes before the court hearing was due to begin.The union announced the cancellation of action around 45 minutes before the court hearing was due to begin.
The Home Office welcomed the announcement, saying the PCS had "seen sense" and that it would work to resolve the differences. Labour also opposed the strike, and shadow chancellor Ed Balls told the BBC: "This is good news. The Games are now the priority and let's hope they are a big success for Britain."
Labour also opposed the strike and shadow chancellor Ed Balls told the BBC: "This is good news. The Games are now the priority and let's hope they are a big success for Britain."
Earlier, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the BBC: "This is just the wrong time to pursue a grievance. If Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats can work together to make the Olympics a success, then even our most militant unions can recognise that this is not the right moment."
He added: "For an immigration officer - and I'm sure the vast majority of immigration officers feel this way - Thursday is one of the biggest days in their professional career.
"It is the day when the eyes of the world will be upon them and the welcome we are giving to the rest of the world.
"The vast majority of them will want to do a really good job and show what they are capable of."
Earlier this month, the government's spending watchdog, the National Audit Office, said the UK Border Agency had laid off 1,000 more staff than intended and was having to hire extra people and increase overtime to meet its workload.Earlier this month, the government's spending watchdog, the National Audit Office, said the UK Border Agency had laid off 1,000 more staff than intended and was having to hire extra people and increase overtime to meet its workload.
The PCS is one of the largest unions in the UK, with around 250,000 public sector members.
PCS members at the Department for Transport have been taking industrial action over the past few weeks, while staff in other departments, including the ministries of defence and justice, are set to vote shortly on how to campaign against cuts.