MARTYN McLAUGHLIN
Customs and immigration staff at Scotland's airports are among hundreds of thousands of people due to take part in a vast public sector strike today in protest at changes to their pensions.
While the action will impact only on people coming into the country on international flights, airlines have warned of a knock-on effect caused by queues that could lead to "more general problems" affecting passengers making domestic journeys.
It is expected more than 200 UK Border Agency (UKBA) staff who work in Scotland's airports and ports will take part in the day of industrial action, forcing the Home Office agency to draft in replacement staff.
Those due to strike are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), the only one north of the Border taking part in the walkout.
It is expected up to 30,000 of its Scottish members will take action, with picket lines expected at courts and JobCentres.
Although the UKBA has su ggested passengers who are able to should postpone their travel plans, Scottish airports were confident they could cope.
A spokesman for Edinburgh airport said: "What we're saying to our passengers is that we don't expect any particular disruption. However, they should be prepared for some minimal delays."
He said staff who worked in its security-screening department were BAA employees who would be working as normal today.
Glasgow airport said it would be "open for business as normal" while Aberdeen airport said officials were satisfied with arrangements to minimise disruption.
However, warning of potential knock-on effects, a spokesman for EasyJet said: "The challenge will be if the immigration halls, which are small in some airports, start to overflow, which could cause more general problems. We are trying to minimise the impact and have asked airports to find spaces elsewhere for people to queue if the immigration halls do overflow."
Immigr ation and customs officials taking part in the action will be replaced by other UKBA staff, who the agency said had been "appropriately trained".
Jonathan Sedgwick, acting chief executive of UKBA, said: "We will do everything we can to minimise disruption and inconvenience to travellers, but our priority will always be to ensure that the UK border remains secure."
Action by other PCS members in Scotland is expected to impact on courts, driving test centres, passport offices, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government offices. Despite widespread disruption to the education system in England, schools in Scotland will not be affected.
The Scottish Courts Service said it was working with the Crown Office to minimise any disruption and would "prioritise business" if required.
Prison Officers Association members will not be on strike, but other prison officers in Scotland are PCS members and may join the industrial action.
Article Source K BG Test Blog (http://rc.kbg.me)
