Britons braced for half term travel CHAOS as Border Force agents announce more strikes

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “We are keen to resolve this dispute but the Home Office must first put something on the table for our members to consider.

“The Home Office has said it is ‘open to discuss’ a resolution but it only responded to our request for a meeting after we threatened further action.

“Until it comes back with changes to the roster that will benefit our members then the dispute will continue.”

Meanwhile Seafarers at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) will strike on Sunday in a dispute over pay. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said more than 500 of its members will walk out for the day in protest at a 4.5 per cent pay rise.

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RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “RFA members have reached their tolerance limit towards poor pay and conditions for UK seafarers despite the vital work that they perform.

“Management has remained inflexible throughout the negotiations and has failed to present an improved offer that meets our members’ expectations.

“RFA must acknowledge the gravity of the situation and avoid a crewing crisis by showing respect for the role and sacrifices of merchant seafarers, who play a crucial part in long deployments away from home on operations worldwide.

“We have made efforts to reach a negotiated settlement with management, but now we have no choice but take strike action.”

The union said the 4.5 per cent increase was imposed on the workers, adding it does not reflect the value and sacrifices of staff in the fleet.

RMT members work as civilian merchant seafarers onboard RFA vessels which provide the Royal Navy with logistic and operational support.