Hundreds of workers at two key immigration facilities near Heathrow Airport are preparing for disruptive strike action in a fierce dispute over what unions are calling 'poverty pay'.
The walkout, involving over 300 employees contracted by facilities management giant Mitie, is scheduled to span eight days, beginning on 25th March. The action will affect both the Harmondsworth and Colnbrook immigration removal centres, which operate under the purview of the Home Office.
Core of the Dispute
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, representing the staff, has declared the pay offers from Mitie as derisory. The workers, who are responsible for crucial security and welfare duties, have rejected a proposed pay increase of just £1 an hour.
Paul Card, a senior PCS official, stated emphatically that the current wages are unsustainable. "Our members do incredibly demanding and important work, yet many are struggling to make ends meet. They are simply no longer willing to work for poverty pay," he said.
Implications for Border Security
While the centres are not directly part of Heathrow Airport's transit operations, the strike is expected to cause considerable operational challenges for the UK Border Force. The centres play a vital role in the UK's immigration system, and any prolonged industrial action could lead to delays and logistical complications in processing individuals.
The PCS union has made it clear that the strike could be just the beginning, warning of further action if the deadlock continues. This places significant pressure on Mitie and the Home Office to return to the negotiating table with a substantially improved offer.
