To tell you that Passport Office staff will strike for 5 weeks?

[Workyworky]

I support them.

Just thought I'd let people know to get their applications in ASAP.

What happens if you 'lose your shit'?

Is this the same department who refuse to work on site and cause delays because they're all WFH?

I'm sure there was an article about how they aren't exactly the most hardworking bunch of people.....

Anyway, cool thanks OP 😊

I'm on the PP office staff side. Good on them, striking will not affect the essential quality of life of anyone, only those fortunate enough to be able to afford foreign travel.

Apply at least six months before expiry. Apply for a new passport six months before you need it. Put a note in your reminders, easy. It's the panickers and disorganised that shout the loudest.

I know there will be hundreds of scenarios where an immediate or speedy passport is required, but that's life.

It's a bit late to be applying now for a.passport for summer but I guess a lot of.people won't have got it done yet.

So 5 days a week for 5 weeks, effectively having a 5 week holiday while those needing a new passport may well have their hard-won holiday plans wrecked and that’s ok?
Selfish, greedy, opportunistic….
And I don’t agree with doctors, nurses or AWPs striking either- it hits the illest members of society, utterly immoral (and I’m a retired nurse)

Why are you on their side? What actual facts make you support them? Beyond what they are saying. Genuinely interested

Yep.

I was wondering that !

Oh the irony 🙄

Me too.

Most of the rights you take for granted are because unions advocated for the people and organised strike action.

Oh right. That's a bit funny. It's like turkeys voting for Christmas.

Unmanageable workload = maybe a 5 week strike is a bad idea then.

😂

I got married, but have a shirt holiday in May using my old name and holiday in October using new name, I can't send it away until after May so I'm hoping it comes back before October or I'm screwed

Any comments on the ill preparedness of many to apply for a passport or renew it in plenty of time?

Any action that might cause a difficulty for the current Government is fine by me, so let them at it. You will notice that I said their action will not affect vulnerable people or disturb our quality of life.

My daughter’s expires in Dec 23. Was going to renew in the Easter hols. She might go away with friends in June and then we have a family holiday in august.

Would people advise sending it off today?

I know some countries have that six month on passport rule.

Exactly. Sure their workload will be worse after the strike as well

Can you not travel on your pre marriage passport? I don't see why you can't, but maybe you booked tickets in your marriage name for October.

There are strike funds for targeted action. Part of their union subs goes towards contributing to missing pay while striking. I strongly suspect the striking workers who are union members will be able to access that.

Members who strike but are not union members will not be able to access those funds.

Members and non-members can strike for any period during those 5 weeks. They don't have to strike for the full period.

I love how people accuse me of not knowing what I'm talking about but then don't know the basics themselves.

I do have the figures but am not at work right now so can't access them And I can't keep figures in my head. If you're that bothered, Google them yourself.

Source: I'm a CS (not Passport Office) and PCS rep.

You can travel on maiden name, but only if you book holiday in that name. Name on booking and passport have to match

Firstly it's not all staff, most will still be working and I don't know anybody who can go 5 weeks on zero or reduced pay. If you can then you can't be that short of cash.

And no, I do not support their action, quite the reverse.

Then I can only be impressed with their dedication to wanting a change to take 5 weeks unpaid from work.

It will certainly have more of an impact that a random day here and there!

The thing is, SOME people are so pissed off at the strikes that they're going to vote Tory purely because they know Jeremy Hunt won't stand for it. He made some digs about lack productivity and he looks like the type to crack the whip.

@carriedout basic fact: incorrect.

What are these “figures” you speak of OP? 😂

They aren’t be “paid”

Do you understand what “pay” is? From the employer

They will receive some funds from the union subs they have paid in