Members of the Border Force are heading out on strike over Christmas. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) (Picture: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Holidaymakers returning from Christmas getaways will likely face disruption in the coming weeks as Border Force staff are set to take industrial action over the festive period.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, representing UK government workers, is taking strike action towards the end of December.

Over 1000 members of the union are set to walk out, with the majority of them being employees of the Home Office tasked with passport control.

The news comes amidst a wave of industrial action that has crippled various sectors in the UK, with RMT rail workers, nurses, ambulance drivers, Royal Mail employees, bus drivers, and more.

When are the Border Force strikes?

PCS industrial action is scheduled to begin on Friday (December 23).

Which airports are affected by the Border Force strikes?

The strikes are set to affect some of the busiest airports in the country, including Heathrow, which has seen over 200,000 passengers a day pass through it in the past.

The complete list of airports being affected is as follows:

London Heathrow

London Gatwick

Manchester

Birmingham

Cardiff

Glasgow

PCS members at the port of Newhaven will also be taking action on the same dates.

Heathrow airport is set to be affected by the strikes. (Picture: Getty Images)

Why are Border Force workers striking?

High inflation has led to many industries being awarded pay increases that amount to a real terms pay cut. This has caused a considerable spike in industrial action in various sectors.

However, many unions, like the PCS, have also cited members’ terms and conditions of employment as a factor in the industrial dispute.

In announcing the strike, the PCS stated it was over ‘a 10% pay rise, pensions justice, job security and no cuts to redundancy terms.’ 

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: ‘The government can stop these strikes tomorrow if it puts money on the table.

‘Like so many workers, our members are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. They are desperate. They are being told there is no money for them, while they watch ministers giving out government contracts worth billions of pounds to their mates.

‘Some sections of the media have accused us of playing politics with these strikes. Let me be clear: our dispute is with the employer.

‘We will fight to improve our members’ pay, terms and conditions regardless of who is in Downing Street.’

In the PCS union ballot, 100,000 members across 214 government departments and other public bodies participated, with an overwhelming 86% voting in favour of strike action.

Border Force workers are employees of the Home Office. (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Other PCS government workers to have taken industrial action (or have it planned) include employees of the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA), Rural Payment Agency (RPA), National Highways, and Department for Work and Pensions. 

Will Bored Force strikes cause delays?

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has warned passengers to be prepared for delays on strike days.

Paul Smith, Consumer Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, has said: ‘We anticipate UK Border Force strikes may lead to longer queues and wait times than normal when arriving at the UK border, as well as possible flight disruption.’

‘In the event of delays and cancellations, airlines have an obligation to look after their passengers.

‘Where a flight is cancelled, airlines also have an obligation to help passengers find an alternative flight or to provide a refund, although given the circumstances passengers may be unable to get to their destinations as quickly as we or airlines would like.’

‘We expect airlines to do what they can to minimise the overall disruption to passengers, and this includes proactively providing passengers with updates and information about their rights when flights are disrupted.’

‘Border Force strikes are outside of the control of airlines so it is unlikely that customers will be entitled to compensation for any delays and cancellations arising from these strikes.’

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If you’re flying back home over Christmas, be prepared for delays.