HMRC Staff in Newcastle to Begin Eight-Week Strike Over Dismissed Union Representatives

Employees at the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office in Newcastle are scheduled to commence an eight-week period of strike action starting Monday. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) stated that its members are acting in solidarity with three colleagues who, according to the union, were unfairly dismissed. The union announced that a picket line would be established outside the HMRC offices situated in Benton Park. An HMRC spokesperson commented: “We have robust plans in place to ensure we continue delivering critical services for our customers during any industrial action.” Fran Heathcote, general secretary of the PCS, stated: “An injury to one is an injury to all, and we’re not going to sit back and allow this injustice to go unchallenged.” She added: “We believe our reps were victimised for their trade union activities after they organised a previous strike.” Heathcote further remarked: “They never wanted to be in this situation – they just want to be back at work, doing their jobs.” Concluding, she asserted: “We demand HMRC gives them their jobs back and ends the victimisation of reps in the workplace.” The individuals participating in this industrial action are employed within HMRC’s customer services group. Their responsibilities include working on the employer helpline and a dedicated helpline for the construction industry. The HMRC spokesperson indicated that although phone lines and webchat services would remain operational during the strike, customers might encounter extended waiting times. The spokesperson also noted that HMRC refrains from commenting on staff employment matters.