HMRC Employees Plan Strike Action Following Union Representative Dismissals

Employees of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have approved an eight-week period of strike action, prompted by the termination of union representatives. According to the union, over 200 members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, based at Benton Park View in Newcastle, are set to engage in industrial action to support three representatives who were dismissed earlier this year. The industrial action is anticipated to commence on 23 December and conclude on 14 February. An HMRC spokesperson stated that the organization possesses “robust plans in place” to ensure the continued provision of its services. While the strike period coincides with the online tax return submission deadline, HMRC clarified that the employees participating in the industrial action are not involved with the self-assessment helpline. Fran Heathcote, PCS general secretary, commented that the ballot outcomes “shows our members are prepared to stand alongside Gordon Askew, Rachel Farmer and Joel Hamilton in their fight for their jobs.” “Members couldn’t have been clearer in telling HMRC to stop victimising their reps and give them back their jobs immediately.” The union had previously asserted that the three individuals were terminated for “demanding fair pay, pensions and jobs.”