Passports strike threat to holidays

A three-day strike that may hit holidaymakers needing swift passports is starting.
Nearly 3,000 passport staff will leave their posts in a row over pay and the Government's office closure programme. The strike will hit the UK's seven regional passport offices and 68 interview offices, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said.
The stoppage - which comes at the start of the school holidays - means that anyone who discovers their passport has expired may have to miss their holiday.
For an extra charge, new documents can usually be obtained in one day but this service will be unavailable during the strike. Travellers waiting for ordinary passport applications to be processed will also face delays.
The protest is over a 2.5% pay deal. The sum has not been awarded to all staff, with longest-serving employees receiving no pay rise for the fifth year running.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The closure of the Glasgow passport office and the threat to a further unnamed three is fuelling the anger over the government's policy of below inflation pay.
"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."
The seven regional passport offices affected by the strike are London, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Peterborough, Newport and Durham.
An Identity and Passports Service spokesman said: "IPS will strive to maintain a service to the public and keep any inconvenience to a minimum during the period of the strikes.
"All IPS regional office counters will remain open and we are able to issue passports for those in emergency situations or with urgent needs. Any customer who has booked for premium services or an interview will have the appointment honoured. We believe that the pay deal was fair for staff while keeping in line with Treasury guidelines."