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UK Border Agency/Public Sector Strike 30/11 – It’s on

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Well with the Unions and Government itching for a smack-down fight, lets do a quick round of up of the facts thoughts, and damn lies

Truths:

  • Most public sector agencies will be down heavily tomorrow (30/11) due to a strike against the changes to the public sector provisions.
  • This includes parts of Local Government, Schools, parts of the NHS, and the UK Border Agency
  • Some Carriers are allowing rebooking. Contact your airline. Confirmed airlines allowing rebooking are Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and British Midland.
  • Some Carriers have cancelled flights into Heathrow (Eithad and Emirates being the main airlines who have trashed their schedules and reduced flights)
  • There will be delays at the UK Border sadly at all ports.
  • UK Border security “is not to be relaxed”
  • There will be staff from other parts of the UK agencies who are not striking coming in to cover
  • Heathrow Airport has requested airlines to load their planes at 50% to assist in processing speeds of people going through the UK Border

Thoughts

  • The strike over pension changes in the public sector could involve up to two million people and close 90% of England’s schools.
  • To the minister for Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell, who quite frankly needs his head seeing to suggesting closing Heathrow for the day on the grounds of “Health and Safety”, check your thinking. And your voting record please.
  • If things go pear shaped tomorrow, Expect Short Notice Cancellations and Diversions
  • If you avoid entering the UK tomorrow, I’d explore the option quite deeply.

Lies

  • You’ll be waiting up to 12 hours at a the border at Heathrow. And I’m sorry – that is complete and utter hogwash. A blatant scare tactic by BAA on behalf of the Government.

I’m not saying tomorrow will be rosy by any stretch of the imagination as you will be delayed entering the country. Nor am I saying this is unexpected (this strike has been on the table for some time sadly due to certain members of the governments manoeuvrings and thoughts on the truth and not putting their house in order before coming to the people that work for it).

Sadly as both the British Government and the Unions want to go 10-Bells at it tomorrow, everyone has to suffer. And if you’re caught in the cross-fire, I’m sorry.  Pack a good book and I hope you make it through the immigration queues quickly.