Border Force Maritime workers to strike on 14 November

More than 120 Border Force Maritime workers who patrol UK waters, including the English Channel, will take strike action on Friday 14 November in protest over frozen allowances and unresolved changes to terms and conditions.

The members’ dangerous, complex, demanding and sometimes harrowing roles include patrolling for smuggling or unauthorised entry into the UK, boarding vessels for inspection, rapid response to incidents at sea (including small boats crossings), and working with Special Forces on counter-terrorism, piracy, and narcotics operations.

There is currently a variety of rates and allowances for staff who perform the same roles. While the Home Office’s proposed move to the ‘Annualised Hours Allowance’ (which compensates employees for working irregular and demanding shift patterns) offers some standardisation, it needs adaptation to properly account for the complexity of these employees’ roles.

The Home Office began a review six years ago to address the need for standardisation but despite lengthy talks, members’ concerns have not been addressed and formal proposals deadlines have been repeatedly missed.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said:

“Our dedicated members in Border Force Maritime have waited far too long for fair recognition of the vital and dangerous work they do. This strike sends a clear message to the Home Office: we will not accept continued delays and inadequate proposals. We stand ready to escalate if necessary.”