Passport staff go on strike

Updated 18.13 Wed Jul 23 2008
Keywords: strike, passports

Thousands of family holidays could be hit by a passport workers strike.

Nearly 3,000 passport staff will leave their posts in a row over pay and the Government's office closure programme.

"It is disgraceful that long-serving passport staff should receive no pay rise for the fifth year in a row and that efficient hardworking staff should be rewarded with a pay cut in real terms" - Mark Serwotka

The three-day strike will hit the UK's seven regional passport offices and 68 interview offices, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said.

The stoppage - which comes at the start of the school holidays - means that anyone who discovers their passport has expired may have to miss their holiday.

For an extra charge, new documents can usually be obtained in one day but this service will be unavailable during the strike.

Travellers waiting for ordinary passport applications to be processed will also face delays.

The protest is over a 2.5 per cent pay deal. The sum has not been awarded to all staff, with longest-serving employees receiving no pay rise for the fifth year running.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "It is disgraceful that long-serving passport staff should receive no pay rise for the fifth year in a row and that efficient hardworking staff should be rewarded with a pay cut in real terms.

"With food, fuel and housing cost soaring, the Government's policy of below inflation pay has further incensed a workforce uncertain about their future but passionate about the service they provide."

The seven regional passport offices affected by the strike are London, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Peterborough, Newport and Durham.

An Identity and Passports Service spokesman said: "IPS will strive to maintain a service to the public and keep any inconvenience to a minimum during the period of the strikes."

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