Strike called for UK border staff on eve of Olympics July 19, 2012 -- Updated 1643 GMT (0043 HKT) Immigration minister Damian Green has condemned next Thursday's scheduled strike by UK border staff. Border Agency staff are among those set to strike next week over job cuts and pay The Public and Commercial Services union called the strike for the eve of the Olympics Britain's immigration minister condemns a "completely selfish and irresponsible decision" London (CNN) -- Border staff are among government workers who are set to strike on the eve of the Olympics, union leaders announced Thursday, risking longer lines at Heathrow airport's passport control for visitors arriving for the Games. The Public and Commercial Services union called the strike for its members across the home office for July 26, a day before the Olympic Games open. The action is part of a long-running dispute over job cuts, pay and privatization, the union said. Next Thursday's scheduled strike will be followed by industrial action in the form of a work to rule and refusal to do overtime from July 27 to August 20, the union said. Infographic: See how Heathrow is shaping up for the Olympics This could also have an impact on the authorities' capacity to process the huge numbers of people expected to arrive in the United Kingdom for the Olympics, which end on August 12, and the Paralympic Games two weeks later. Immigration minister Damian Green condemned what he called "a completely selfish and irresponsible decision by a small minority of union members." He said union leaders had been wrong to call their members out on strike and predicted the British public would have little sympathy for those taking action. In little more than a week's time, the eyes of the world will be on Britain, with soldiers and police officers canceling their leave and working extra hours to make the Olympics a success. The PCS leadership should be ashamed of themselves," he said. The action includes staff across the home office, including the UK Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Records Bureau, the union said. Read more: UK faces security questions ahead of London Olympics PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The lives of staff have been made intolerable by these cuts, and they're at breaking point. Ministers have known about these issues for a very long time and need to act now to sort out the chaos they have caused. They're acting recklessly in cutting so many jobs and privatizing services, and are provocatively refusing to talk to us with a genuine desire to reach an agreement. Concerns had already been raised about how Heathrow and other entry points to the United Kingdom would cope with the influx of Olympic visitors even before the threat of strike by some staff. Heathrow said Monday that extra staffers have been posted on immigration desks amid fears of long lines to get into the country as security checks are carried out. Retired border officials and retired police officers are among those being brought in to supplement immigration staff, the home office said. CNN's Stephanie Halasz contributed to this report. You may not be headed to the Olympics, but that doesn't mean you can't join in the fun! Welcome to the CNN iReport sports photo master class. July 19, 2012 -- Updated 1412 GMT (2212 HKT) CNN's "Athletes of the Arab Spring" special profiles the struggles of competitors battling to prepare for London in the midst of revolutions.