Holidaymakers planning to get a last minute passport over the next three days will be forced to forfeit their holiday due to a strike by passport workers.
Almost 3000 workers are on strike at seven passport offices and 68 interview offices are closed today because of industrial action over the governments plans to cap public sector pay and close offices. This means passport interviews and passport applications will be delayed during one of the busiest periods of the year.
The strike starts today and runs for three days.
Public and Commercial Services Union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “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.
“With food, fuel and housing costs soaring, the government’s policy of below inflation pay has further incensed the workforce uncertain about their future but passionate about the service they provide.”