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| Passport workers strike over pay | Passport workers strike over pay |
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| Workers at seven of Britain's regional passport offices are going on strike to protest over pay and cutbacks. | Workers at seven of Britain's regional passport offices are going on strike to protest over pay and cutbacks. |
| The three-day stoppage is intended to disrupt travel plans and may delay the processing of up to 60,000 passports. | The three-day stoppage is intended to disrupt travel plans and may delay the processing of up to 60,000 passports. |
| As well as the regional offices, the Public and Commercial Services Union said the strike by almost 3,000 staff will affect 68 interview offices. | As well as the regional offices, the Public and Commercial Services Union said the strike by almost 3,000 staff will affect 68 interview offices. |
| The protest is over a dispute with a 2.5% pay deal, which has not been awarded to all staff. | The protest is over a dispute with a 2.5% pay deal, which has not been awarded to all staff. |
| The seven regional passport offices affected by the strike are London, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Peterborough, Newport and Durham. | The seven regional passport offices affected by the strike are London, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Peterborough, Newport and Durham. |
| The longest-serving employees have not received a pay rise for the fifth year running. Staff are also angry at the government's passport office closure programme. | The longest-serving employees have not received a pay rise for the fifth year running. Staff are also angry at the government's passport office closure programme. |
| It is disgraceful that long-serving passport staff should receive no pay rise for the fifth year in a row and that efficient hardworking staff should be rewarded with a pay cut in real terms Mark Serwotka, Public and Commercial Services Union | It is disgraceful that long-serving passport staff should receive no pay rise for the fifth year in a row and that efficient hardworking staff should be rewarded with a pay cut in real terms Mark Serwotka, Public and Commercial Services Union |
| The industrial action means that anyone who discovers their passport has expired may have to miss their holiday. | The industrial action means that anyone who discovers their passport has expired may have to miss their holiday. |
| New documents can usually be obtained in one day for an extra charge, but this service will also be unavailable during the strike period. | New documents can usually be obtained in one day for an extra charge, but this service will also be unavailable during the strike period. |
| And people waiting for ordinary passport applications to be processed will also face delays. | And people waiting for ordinary passport applications to be processed will also face delays. |
| PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The closure of the Glasgow passport office and the threat to a further unnamed three is fuelling the anger over the government's policy of below inflation pay. | PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The closure of the Glasgow passport office and the threat to a further unnamed three is fuelling the anger over the government's policy of below inflation pay. |
| "It is disgraceful that long-serving passport staff should receive no pay rise for the fifth year in a row and that efficient hardworking staff should be rewarded with a pay cut in real terms." | "It is disgraceful that long-serving passport staff should receive no pay rise for the fifth year in a row and that efficient hardworking staff should be rewarded with a pay cut in real terms." |
| An Identity and Passports Service spokesman said: "IPS will strive to maintain a service to the public and keep any inconvenience to a minimum during the period of the strikes. | An Identity and Passports Service spokesman said: "IPS will strive to maintain a service to the public and keep any inconvenience to a minimum during the period of the strikes. |
| "All IPS regional office counters will remain open and we are able to issue passports for those in emergency situations or with urgent needs. | "All IPS regional office counters will remain open and we are able to issue passports for those in emergency situations or with urgent needs. |
| "Any customer who has booked for premium services or an interview will have the appointment honoured. | "Any customer who has booked for premium services or an interview will have the appointment honoured. |
| "We believe that the pay deal was fair for staff while keeping in line with treasury guidelines." | "We believe that the pay deal was fair for staff while keeping in line with treasury guidelines." |
| More information can be obtained by contacting the passport advice line on 0870 521 0410. Are you affected by the issues in this story? Are you waiting for a new passport? Will your travel plans be disrupted? Do you work for the passport office? Send us your comments using the form below. name="say"> |