Channel patrol boats out of action after 'fed up' Border Force staff go on strike

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will strike on Friday as they say they have been waiting more than six years for the Government to review allowances where staff do the same job but earn different salaries and pension amounts.

A PCS representative said this lack of progress by the Government since changes to the allowances were made 13 years ago meant some people were "losing money hand-over-foot".

Those set to strike include staff who patrol UK waters with the aim of tackling drug smugglers and responding to small boat crossings in the Channel.

The union rep said: "They're just fed up to the back teeth. We're approaching our seventh year where they've continually lost pay and pension payments because of this, and they're just, they're fed up.

"The job of a maritime officer is probably one of the most dangerous jobs within Border Force."

Strikers will hold a virtual picket line on Friday for the industrial action which was approved by a large majority.

In October, 95 per cent PCS members voted in favour of the action, at an 80 per cent turnout.

The union representative added that morale among staff members was "really low" because all they talked about was pensions, money and conditions.

He added: "You can see how it affects them, because all they want is something fair.

"You've got colleagues that work alongside that are earning different money, and their pension contributions are different, and they're doing exactly the same job. They're not happy"

He continued: "They don't want to strike because they believe in the job they're doing, but this is the only way to actually raise the profile and get this through.

"It really is appalling that a Government organisation has taken this long.

"To have that resolved will be a brilliant victory, and long overdue for everyone on those boats. We've had so many people that retired on the old terms, which have lost that money."

Border Force cutters and coastal patrol vessels will be "non-operational" on Friday because of the union's "strong presence" on such boats.

However, smaller crew transfer vessels, which carry out small boat rescues, will still operate because they are made up of wider commercial crew, medics and other Border Force workers.

The union rep said: "If we have other Border Force officers who are not involved in this strike, who would work on these vessels as part of the rescue, we are instructing them to make sure that if you do go out, then when you go on the boat you are happy with the health and safety for yourself, the crew and any migrants that may be rescued as part of this."

Is is understood that officials do not believe the strike will impact operations in the Channel.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Border Force work tirelessly to keep our borders safe and secure. We will continue our talks with the union to resolve this dispute.

"We always have robust plans in place to minimise disruption and uphold UK border security, and that remains unchanged."