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17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

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UK border ''will be secure'' during strike

Robust arrangements are in place to maintain the security of the border ahead of planned strike action today 30th November, the Home Office has insisted.

Over the last weeks and months the UK Border Agency had trained managers, staff and contractors to the high standards needed to carry out secure border checks, the department said. Also, staff from foreign posts had been asked to provide extra cover on the day and arrangements were in place with travel partners such as airlines and port operators to identify potential pressure points.

The Home Office said that preparations had focused on making sure every option had been considered to ensure a pool of suitably-trained staff was available to operate the border securely. Staffing on the day would be structured to allow maximum flexibility to meet the aim of maintaining a full range of checks.

The chief executive of the UK Border Agency, Rob Whiteman - in the news recently for contradicting evidence given to a select committee by former UK Border Force chief Brodie Clark - said: "Securing the border is our priority and over the last weeks and months we have considered all options to ensure we are prepared for union action. We always aim to minimise any disruption caused by the decision of unions to strike, but travellers could see longer waiting times at some ports and airports."

However, Unison's general secretary Dave Prentis said that "when history is written, they will write about 30 November".

Claiming that his union was willing to talk "anytime, anywhere and any place", Prentis countered government claims by saying: "The economy didn't collapse as a result of the royal wedding and it won't collapse because of this."

He also reckoned there had been a 126 per cent increase in people joining Unison compared with the previous year, with 81 per cent of new members being women.

Prentis said the strike was a woman's strike, but Sayeeda Warsi, co-chair of the Conservative Party has written to him to warn him of the damaging effect the strike could have on women and families up and down the UK.

Warsi said: "You claimed that women will be the driving force behind [the] planned strike action. I wholeheartedly disagree. If these irresponsible strikes go ahead, they will not be driven by women - they will actually disadvantage women.

"These strikes are expected to cost the economy half a billion pounds, but more importantly they will disrupt family routines and cost the hardworking taxpayer money. I would go further to say that such strikes will disproportionately affect women. After all, who is more likely to have to stay off work while their children's teachers strike? Who is more likely to be affected by disruption of public services? Whose jobs will be more at risk from the necessary time off? It is women who will bear the brunt."

Waarsi went on: "This is not a women's strike. It is your strike and it is an irresponsible strike, which will unfairly impact upon people right across the country. I urge you to think again about your action, unless you want to disadvantage many women and their families."

30th November 2011