Border Force Maritime members vote for strike action
Border Force workers who patrol UK waters including the English Channel have voted for strike action in a dispute over frozen allowances as well as terms and conditions.
PCS members working on patrol boats, whose duties include searching for and identifying vessels at sea engaged in smuggling or small boats crossings, have voted yes for strike action by 96% to 4% against on a turnout of 80%.
The more than 120 Border Force Maritime workers who were balloted are angered at having to wait more than six years for the result of a payment review into allowances for their specialist roles.
Border Force management has repeatedly failed to meet its own deadlines to present final proposals to the union. The latest date management promised to present proposals to staff – on the week beginning 6 October – came and went with no progress.
Management has given assurances about backdating these allowances to 1 April 2025, but PCS believes it may be months before these extra payments are received because proposals have not been forthcoming.
PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Our Border Force Maritime members are sick to the teeth of being disrespected and undervalued by management.
“If it takes a highly disruptive strike to shake the employer into its senses, then they are willing to walk out from their patrols to achieve their aims.”