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Industrial Action – UK Ports, Airports and Inland Border Facilities

You may have seen reports that more than 100,000 civil service members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will be going on strike on Wednesday 15th March 2023. Following a nationwide ballot in February, HMRC members of PCS agreed to industrial action and therefore some HMRC staff will be taking part. The action will also include UK-based Home Office members, including Border Force staff. 

The industrial action is likely to impact the movement of goods through UK ports, airports and Inland Border Facilities on 15th March, as well as those travelling to the UK from UK Border controls in Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles in Northern France.  

Customers may experience delays when contacting the National Clearance Hub (NCH) and Customs & International Trade (CIT) Helpline. There may also be some disruption on the morning of 16 March as business returns to normal.  

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 (IBFs). You should be prepared for these delays before starting any movement.   

Belgium

Belgian Unions have called a 24-hour strike action at Bpost commencing 22:00 CEST on 27th February 2023. 

The industrial action will likely affect mail and parcels in Belgium. 

They will do their utmost to minimise impact and apologise for any inconvenience.

New Zealand

New Zealand Post has confirmed that a national state of emergency was declared on 14th February 2023 in response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Owing to the severity of this weather event and the scale of the emergency, the central government has taken over from the local authorities and is now managing the response in accordance with the Civil Defence Act.

In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its customers and staff, New Zealand Post has decided to implement the following measures:

  • Suspension of all deliveries in red alert areas;
  • Suspension of air network operations;
  • Suspension of all line haul services to the Far North, Gisborne and Coromandel areas.

New Zealand Post is currently conducting an assessment and the situation is being monitored closely.

Finland

Posti Ltd wishes to confirm that the Finnish Transport Workers Union (AKT) has announced a strike in the transportation sector. In addition, the Postal and Logistics Union (PAU) has announced that it will  support the AKT strike with industrial action concerning the loading and unloading of trucks and trailers from 16th – 21st February 2023. 

Consequently, Posti envisages the following delays:

  • approximately 5 days for parcels and EMS items sent during the industrial action;
  • 5–14 business days for letter-post items and magazines;
  • approximately 5 days for long-distance deliveries requiring transportation with heavier equipment between cities in Finland;
  • 5–14 business days for printed products distributed to the door or mailbox.

Posti estimates that operations will return to normal on 27 February 2023. Designated operators are asked to consider sending parcels and EMS items outside the industrial action period when delays will be minimal.

If deliveries cannot be done owing to the strike, the items will be stored appropriately. Deliveries related to health and safety will not be affected by the industrial action.

Impact of PCS Border Force industrial action between 17-20 February 2023 at South East ports

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS union has announced industrial action that will impact Border Force operations between Friday 17th February and Monday 20th February (until 7am).

Border Force officers based in Dover, Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles, who are members of the PCS, will be taking part in the action. This does not include HMRC staff.

The industrial action will impact the movement of goods travelling to the UK through UK Border controls in the French ports of Calais and Dunkirk, and the Coquelles Eurotunnel Terminal.

What can you do

If you were planning to move goods during this period, you should be aware there could be disruption and delays at South East ports and Inland Border Facilities (IBF’s). Please take this into consideration when planning movements.