Border Force: Seaforth

New Working Pattern Update

Members at Seaforth contacted the branch in December 2020 regarding a proposed new working pattern that was to be implemented without due consultation as a result of the Port Operators decision to offer new Customs services at the end of the UK Transition arrangements on 1 January 2021.

The main area of contention was the proposed roster and members, rightly, raised their concerns. The working group instigated by PCS that was already due to be set up was tasked to focus on this and after a number of meetings the members on the working group and management have completed a review of the work and shift patterns. As a result management published a new roster on the 22 March confirmed to be implemented from start on 19 April.

The new pattern addresses the concerns raised previously including 5am starts that have now been stood down (only as required). Split weekends have been removed. The pattern provides one full weekend off per month as standard and other changes were made all of which have been communicated to staff. This has also resulted in an adjustment (increase) of the AHW rate to address the amount of weekend hours that would be over-rostered on the old rate.

Members should in the first instance raise workplace issues through the line management chain and it they cannot be resolved they should be escalated to the branch for further investigation. Click here to contact your PCS reps.

Monthly general pitch meetings between Border Force management and the branch will soon be set up and members will be invited to submit agenda items for these meetings. The dates of the meetings will be published on our branch website in due course. Items for the agenda can be any unresolved issues that have been put to management without response or action taken or where working practices are non compliant with policy and procedure or legitimate Health and safety concerns. Items raised and actions taken and responses will be published after each meeting.