And the strikes by Border Force staff at UK airports could go on for months unless the government enters talks over pay, the head of the PCS union has said.
Mark Serwotka said the union had a “mandate” for walkouts up until May.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “sad” about disruption caused by strikes, but said he had acted “fairly and reasonably” over public sector pay.
Thousands of travellers arriving in the UK have been told to expect delays over Christmas as border staff walk out.
More than 1,000 employees who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will walk out, affecting passport control desks at six of the country’s busiest airports.
The industrial action will cause disruption from today until Boxing Day, before workers stage another round of walkouts from 28 until New Year’s Eve.
And in Spain, the airline Air Nostrum has cancelled around 20% of those flights planned today, due to the strike called by the pilots’ union Sepla.
Travellers affected by these cancellations may opt for reimbursement of tickets or relocation on alternative flights, the Valencian airline said in a statement.
The company will publish at the end of this week the flights cancelled for next week’s stoppages, which will take place on 26, 27, 29 and 30 December.
Two new days of strike action have also been called for 2 and 3 January.
The company’s management considers this strike call “totally unjustified”, which it describes as “particularly disproportionate” because the upcoming holidays are “the Christmas of reunion for many families”.
The company recalls that in the negotiation process with the pilots ‘it has already offered a wage increase for the next three years of 10 % for commanders and 13 % for second pilots’, and stresses that ‘this increase could be even higher depending on the results by objectives which are also being negotiated’.
“The proposal is above the average increase of the agreements in Spain and what other companies in the sector with better results are negotiating with their pilots”, Air Nostrum points out.
The application of the minimum services decreed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation will allow 79% of the flights scheduled for the first two days of the strikes to operate.
Customers affected by these cancellations may opt for reimbursement of their tickets or relocation to alternative flights or dates, depending on availability. In addition, fares have been made more flexible so that passengers on flights that are not cancelled can change dates if they prefer.
The airline regrets the inconvenience caused and reports that almost all passengers have already been contacted.
In addition, it appeals again to the “responsibility” of Sepla to “stop this strike, as the company still has to pay back 250 million ICO credits as well as the loan made by SEPI from the FASEE funds (Solvency Support Fund for Strategic Companies)”.
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I really need to lower my expectations. I've been giving much too much credit 🙄
Ulla JacksonActually Ulla I think Morgan likes having a go at the U.K. But try’s and fails to do it with sarcasm and innuendo. Like others he seems to have taken Brexit badly, despite a democratic mandate. As you state the U.K. was in the EEC, then the European Union from the early 70s. One of the Foundation Nato nations. Commonwealth member. And one of the most open economies . Home to 6million European Union state nationals, of which 700k are from that great nation Poland. I could go on , but hardly an isolationist trait that Morgan implies. Hope you had a nice Christmas
Morgan WilliamsWhy Morgan Williams is it needed to praise one country (UK) and wish ill to all other countries (EU). Why can't you allow all to prosper in their own way, or is it so difficult to do so? Considering UK was part of EU for 40? years, why suddenly is one pitched against the others mostly in the UK. The rest of the countries has past the talking point of Brexit.
David HollandWell, it's historically accurate. Since before and especially after the isolationists "took back control", they've been trying desperately to vindicate it. Rather unsuccessfully so far, but there's still hope of some sort of European collapse. And frankly, every time anything happens in Europe (good or bad), UK media spins it in "whataboutist" style vindication of its fantasy ideology. Suspiciously similar to your narrative here. So if you're unaware of the imminent collapse of the Euro and ostensibly, the collapse of Europe (since the EU's inception really, but mainly in the past 5-6 years), then perhaps you might benefit from reviewing the history (according to UK politicians and media). I was only pointing out that the UK, in its infinite wisdom, has now apparently resorted to leading by example. Perhaps in no small part the result of unsuccessful attempts to lead by fantasy. No doubt the rest of the world will be clamouring to be the first to follow ... and so there's your vindication. No worries. It's inevitable. Just as it's been for decades.
Morgan WilliamsMust have had a few when you typed this eh Morgan.
David HollandMany have been hoping for something to vindicate the UK's isolationist ideology for years. No doubt a collapse of the European economy would help. It's been inevitable for what, 4 decades now? It's about time. Rightfully, the UK is again leading by example. Surely the rest of the world will eventually see the light and follow in its footsteps. So no worries - vindication is inevitable. As it has been for decades.
Ulla JacksonYes it’s a shame choice has been reduced. But that’s the deal cobbled together late in 2019. Focused mainly on priorities of large companies . Like the car industries. I like a certain minorcan gin. Used to buy from a Spanish trading company in Cadiz but prices soared surprisingly last year. But there is a little Spanish deli in town that now sells this and other delights at very good prices. So my meagre needs are met. Have a Merry Christmas and new year
Zoltan TeglasBrexit was always going to cause trade disruption , But After the last three years I would question any conclusion of theoretical rises or falls in trade figures. There’s to much noise. Supply chain disruption has been a much bigger problem to my ex business colleagues than Brexit, then they are larger higher value global engineering enterprises. I think you will find the Brexit voting areas were working class Labour voter groups not Tory . In 2015 Only 18% of U.K. business traded with European Union anyway. The economic headwinds in 2023 in continental Europe will be probably more difficult than this year. Then we will see what the new reality will be.
Ulla JacksonThe U.K. debt level is way to high. Nearly 100% of gdp. Although Covid support significantly contributing to this figure. It’s the reason the market’s reaction to the truss budget was so extreme. So it’s steady away again with the failed high tax low growth models of the last 20years. U.K. productivity has been low for decades. Low cost labour and growing population masked the problem, gave increased national gdp but little individual wealth growth particularly those in the lower quartile income groups result Brexit. The resultant lower tax take restricted government ability to spend on services say nurses wages. Notability most notable strikes are in highly unionised state or ex state sector areas Sadly This problem has been Along time in the making but When seismic events like Covid and energy shocks occur an realignment takes place this is part of that process.
David HollandRe cars I don't know, but buying goods from the UK is not as before in my view. Before it was the price plus shipping, now it's the price plus shipping, plus extra VAT depending of respective country, customs duty and their handling cost. I used to frequently buy goods from the UK before Brexit, none now as I don't know what the end price will be. I guess I won't be the only one who has stopped buying.