Workers at seven of Britain's regional passport offices have gone on strike to protest over pay and cutbacks.
Workers at seven of Britain's regional passport offices have gone 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 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.
New documents can usually be obtained in one day for an extra charge.
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.
We believe that the pay deal was fair for staff while keeping in line with treasury guidelines Identity and Passports Service
"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."
At the Liverpool passport office in Old Hall Street, staff carried placards saying: "Don't stamp out out service".
Rob Barton, 52, has worked there for six years and suggested that the strike was for the benefit of customers and staff.
He said: "Nobody is happy about it because the chances are a lot of us are going to be made redundant. It is going to be 50/50, as far as I understand it, whether this office stays open or not."
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Travel writer Simon Calder on how the passport strike will affect people
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.
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.
