Strikes begin UK's summer of discontent

If you travel to Britain tomorrow, prepare to face long waits at the immigration desk at Heathrow and other delays as thousands of civil servants, teachers and lecturers go on strike to protest against deep spending cuts and pension reforms.

As discontent about the David Cameron government's funding cuts spread, Britain appears set for a prolonged summer of discontent amidst major job losses and a sluggish economy.

Four major unions with membership in thousands are participating in tomorrow's strike.

British Airports Authority, which runs Heathrow, Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports, said in a statement, "We have been informed by UK Border Agency that arriving passengers should expect delays at the UK border tomorrow as a result of industrial action by immigration officers.

"UK Border Agency are advising that passengers who can do so may wish to travel on other dates."

Jonathan Sedgwick, acting chief executive of the UK Border Agency, said, "We will do everything we can to minimise disruption and inconvenience to travelers, but our priority will always be to ensure that the UK border remains secure." More strikes are already being threatened later this year.  

The UK's biggest public sector union, Unison - which represents 1.3 million people - has not yet balloted its members on industrial action.

But its leader, Dave Prentis, has said that would change if they continued "to be treated with disdain". Tomorrow, more than 3,000 schools will be closed, and nearly 2,200 partially closed because of the strike, the government has said. This means working parents will have to remain home to look after children, affecting productivity.

Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce, said, "With teachers going on strike and parents having to stay at home to look after their children, the day itself will prove a nightmare for businesses as staff absence and losses in productivity will be inevitable."  

Addressing a conference yesterday, Prime Minister Cameron said, "To those considering strike action, when discussions are ongoing, I say to you these strikes are wrong, for you, for the people you serve and for the good of the country."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said the strikes would be a "mistake", and that both sides should get back round the negotiating table.

He said, "Public sector pensions do need to be reformed. But the government has to take its share of responsibility for the provocative way they have handled these negotiations."

The four unions of strike are the Public and Commercial Services Union, Universities and College Union, Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the National Union of Teachers.