British Passport Workers To Strike For Five Weeks Over Pay

British Passport Workers To Strike For Five Weeks Over Pay

Britain’s passport office workers will go on strike for five weeks, starting next month, in a pay dispute, potentially disrupting the delivery of passports ahead of the summer holiday period.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union working across England, Scotland and Wales will take part in the action from 3 April to 5 May.

Those working in Belfast will strike from 7 April to 5 May.

The union warned of delays to applications and the delivery of passports in the run-up to summer.

A spokesperson said it had been engaged in “constructive talks” to end the dispute, adding: “We are working to manage the impact of strike action whilst ensuring we can continue to deliver vital services to the public, with comprehensive contingency plans in place.”

More than 4,000 people are employed by the Passport Office across the UK, meaning that according to the union figures around one in four workers will be walking out.

The union says strike action is being targeted to cause mass disruption and involves members working in departments which examine passports – more than 1,300 people.