UK: Unionized civil service workers, including Border Force employees, plan to strike nationwide March 15-16

Event

Unionized civil servants affiliated with the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, including Border Force members, plan to strike nationwide March 15-16. Participating workers will walk off the job at an unspecified time on March 15 and return to work around 07:00 March 16. Organizers assert that over 100,000 PCS members and about 500,000 civil servants from other labor unions will participate in the strike. The action is an escalation of the ongoing dispute over increased pay.

As part of the industrial action, labor leaders have announced the following series of demonstrations at the indicated locations and start times on March 15:

• Aberystwyth: March from Aberystwyth University to St. Paul's Methodist Church at 12:30, followed by rally at 13:30

• Belfast: Rally outside Erskine House, 12:30-13:30

• Birmingham: March from Centenary Square to Eastside Park at 10:30, followed by rally at 12:00

• Bristol: Rally at College Green at 12:00

• Cardiff: Rally outside Ty William Morgan UK Government Offices, 11:30-13:00

• Edinburgh: Rally at The Mound at 12:30

• Glasgow: Rally near Donald Dewar statue at 12:00

• London: March from Embankment Tube station starting at 12:30; rally at Downing Street at 13:00 before proceeding to Trafalgar Square for combined rally at 13:45

• Manchester: Two wings of striking workers to assemble at Manchester Royal Infirmary at 11:15 and University of Manchester at 11:30, respectively, before combining and marching to St. Peter's Square for a rally at 12:00.

Unless averted, the strike will almost certainly cause significant disruption to various government services, including public education, health, and administration. Due to Border Force's participation in the work stoppage, the strike will also cause disruptions at all ports of international entry and exit, especially those requiring complex processes, such as visas. Significant disruptions to international travel and the movement of goods are likely at all major airports and maritime transit locations to the UK from northern France, such as Calais, Dunkirk, and Coquelles. UK officials will likely use specially trained military and civilian personnel from several government services to carry out Border Force tasks and minimize disruptions to travelers.

Disruptions from the strike will probably extend for several hours after participating workers return to their jobs.

Advice

Reconfirm all business or other appointments with public sector facilities, including public hospitals and administrative offices. Plan accordingly for increased absenteeism among employees who are parents or guardians of school-aged children during the strike time frame. Allow extra time for airport and seaport check-in and to navigate security controls. Ensure all passport and visa documentation is in order and prepare for long lines at passport checks. If transporting goods, plan for longer-than-normal queues or consider delaying shipments until the strike concludes. Contact transport providers for situation updates and follow local travel and security advice. Use electronic passport gates when possible.