Every airport and sea port in the UK could be affected with delays and possible closings if 4,100 immigration employees vote to go on strike. The workers who check passports are considering a two-day walk out.

Members of the Immigration Service Union have been dissatisfied with their working conditions ever since the agency became part of the larger UK Border Agency in a merger with Customs. They are opposed to immigration workers having to do work that used to be done by customs workers. The work involved includes conducting body searches.

“The response shows that 75 per cent are in favour of action and that percentage is increasing, That shows the depth of feeling about the plans to change the way we work. The feeling out there is so strong I believe a strike is looking almost certain.” said John Tincey of ISU.

The Home Office has a back up plan ready in the event that the union makes good on its threat to walk out. Usually in such cases, management steps in to work the positions and temporary staff is hired as well.

A spokesperson from the Home Office indicated that the strike wouldn’t have that great of an effect on border controls, but admitted that there would definitely be delays at checkpoints.

Talks are continuing between the parties and a settlement of the dispute is not ruled out.

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk for the above quote. For more information about this article, please visit their website.