Massive border strike worries UK officials

After members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which is the fifth largest trade union in the UK, voted in favor of a 24-hour strike in a dispute over pay and job losses on the eve of the London Olympics, Hunt claimed, “It’s only a minority who really want to do this and I would just ask them to think again."

Moreover, speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, Johnson tried to downplay the impact on a potential strike, including the staff of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Records Bureau, and condemned the action as being “very badly-supported” and "frustrating".

However, the union representing border guards at British airports said thousands of its members will strike on July 26, the day before the start of the 2012 London Olympic Games, in a move which threatens a return of long waiting times at the country’s airports.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka told the Sky News that the action was a "last resort" in order to defend “important services and the security of this country".

Meanwhile, speaking on Radio 5 Live on July 22, Hunt admitted that ministers have even discussed sacking UKBA workers who have voted to strike.