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| Passport workers strike over pay | Passport workers strike over pay |
| (3 days later) | |
| 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 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 | 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 our service". | At the Liverpool passport office in Old Hall Street, staff carried placards saying: "Don't stamp out our service". |
| 'No point' | 'No point' |
| Rob Barton, 52, has worked there for six years and suggested that the strike was for the benefit of customers and staff. | 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." | 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." |
| Dennis Long, 25, was told he could not board his flight to Crete on Wednesday night after check-in staff noticed the laminate on his passport was peeling up at the edges. | Dennis Long, 25, was told he could not board his flight to Crete on Wednesday night after check-in staff noticed the laminate on his passport was peeling up at the edges. |
| The painter and decorater from Heathrow called the London office on Thursday morning to try and get an emergency appointment for a new passport but was told there was "no point" in coming down as staff were on strike. | The painter and decorater from Heathrow called the London office on Thursday morning to try and get an emergency appointment for a new passport but was told there was "no point" in coming down as staff were on strike. |
| He said: "I can't believe it - I was just told not to bother and offered no options of what else I could do. | He said: "I can't believe it - I was just told not to bother and offered no options of what else I could do. |
| "I work all year, I pay my taxes and because of this I've missed a £550 holiday." | "I work all year, I pay my taxes and because of this I've missed a £550 holiday." |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| Travel writer Simon Calder on how the passport strike will affect people | Travel writer Simon Calder on how the passport strike will affect people |
Are | More information can be obtained by contacting the passport advice line on 0870 521 0410. |