Importers and exporters are bracing themselves
for delays tomorrow and on Thursday as Customs staff join a strike against changes in pension payouts and the age of retirement for UK public sector workers.
Last week, the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, which includes members of the UK’s Border Agency (UKBA), called a strike from 6pm on Wednesday and ending at midnight on Thursday.
The UKBA warned that the impact of the strike would be different at individual ports, airports and international rail terminals, but added it had contingency plans in place and “would work hard to keep delays to a minimum”.
Shipping line OOCL has warned its customers to expect delays, but was unable to say how much of an impact the industrial action would have on its operations.
“We have received pre-advice from the UK Border Agency that there is the possibility of reduced or no service in Thamesport and Southampton on Thursday,” the Hong Kong-based carrier said.
“No-one at the UKBA will be able to confirm the level of service until they see how many staff do not turn up for work.
“We therefore take this opportunity to give customers advance warning, and encourage affected parties to submit customs entries early to minimise the risk of disruption.”
Meanwhile, there was no breakthrough in yesterday’s talks between the PCS, other unions and the government, and the PCS warned that further strikes were likely unless the government changed its position.
A spokesman said: “It was disappointing that the meeting proved to be no different to any of the others – it was a farce.
“This is a dispute that is entirely of the government’s making. We did not ask for pensions to be cut, we did not ask for public servants to be told they must work years longer and pay more for much less in retirement.
“On Thursday we will see hundreds of thousands of civil and public servants on strike and, on the experience of today’s meeting and the last few months of government obstinacy, we fully expect to be joined by millions more in the autumn.”
Damian Brett | Tue, 28 Jun 2011, IFW News