British airports have warned travelers of possible flight delays after a strike by passport control staff began today and is expected to last until the New Year, Reuters reported.

However, Heathrow Airport reported no major disruptions.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said more than 1,000 civil servants from the Border Force were expected to join the protests.

Britain has been gripped by the biggest wave of protest action in decades, after earlier strikes by nurses, paramedics, rail and postal workers.

Dissatisfaction is related to wages and working conditions. 

Britain's economy has shrunk more than expected

According to trade unionists, border guards have been offered a two percent pay rise.

This is well below inflation, which last month reached 10.7 percent. 

Border Services apologized to passengers for the inconvenience and said it would work with its partners in the transportation industry to keep passengers and goods flowing. 

Britain's busiest airport, Heathrow, reported "minimal queues" in the arrivals hall. 

Gatwick - the country's second-busiest airport - said that from today until the end of the year people should prepare for longer waits for their passports to be processed.

Although some disruption is expected, flights are operating for now.

Ambulance strike in UK

Before the start of the strike action, which is expected to last until December 31 with only a break on December 27, the government said it was training civil servants and the military to help with passport control at airports and ports, BTA added. 

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