On 1st February the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union confirmed that civil service members of the union will be going on strike on 17, 18, 19 and 20 February 2023. The industrial action will include UK-based Home Office members, including Border Force staff across four ports - Dover, Calais, Coquelles and Dunkirk.
The industrial action is likely to impact the movement of goods through UK ports and airports, as well as those travelling to the UK from UK Border controls in the affected ports.
What you can do
If you are able to move goods outside of this period, then we would advise that you do so.
If you cannot delay your movements then please be aware that the industrial action could lead to disruption and delays at ports and Inland Border Facilities (IBF). You should be prepared for these delays and check with your operator before starting your movement.
You can also check IBF site availability online.
Global picture
Currently the UK faces a series of strikes from a range of different sectors – including ports and logistics – as waves of industrial action continue over complaints of low pay and poor working conditions.
More broadly, Bloomberg reports that global industrial unrest in ports had risen significantly in 2021, citing data from maritime security consultancy Crisis24 showing that more seaports had faced labour disruption than in 2021.
A spokesman from Crisis24 said: “Labour unrest is unlikely to decrease going into 2023, and may in fact worsen in the likely event that global economic conditions do not improve.”
For further support please contact GMCC’s International Trade Team at exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk or call us at 0161 393 4314.