HMRC strikers are set for eight dates of action as they fight back against sackings. Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union PCS) have confirmed eight days of strike action affecting HMRC offices at Benton Park View in Newcastle.
Fran Heathcote, general secretary of PCS, said in a statement ahead of the strike action: “We’re doing everything we can with ministers, with the Cabinet Office, with anybody we can talk to, to try and bring about their re-instatement.”
HMRC warns strike action will affect business customers using personal tax operations’ services and using the construction industry scheme (CIS), just ahead of the self assessment deadline on January 31 amid the busy filing season.
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Two HMRC phone helplines specifically targeted at employers will be impacted when staff walk out over eight days until mid February. The action will take the form of strikes lasting three hours on different mornings over the period.
An HMRC spokesperson said: “We have robust plans in place to ensure we continue delivering critical services for our customers during any industrial action.” HMRC plans to redeploy 100 staff who work in the surge and rapid response team (SRRT) to the affected helplines.
The HMRC employer enquiries page has a message: “Due to industrial action between 23 December 2024 and 14 February 2025, you may wait longer than usual to speak to an adviser. If you can, you should use our online services rather than waiting to speak to us on the phone.”
Pickets will be held between 7am and 10am on Thursday 9 January (main gates), Wednesday 15 January (Ainsthorpe Garden entrance), Tuesday 21 January (main gates), Thursday 23 January (Ainsthorpe Garden entrance) and Wednesday 29 January (main gates), HMRC workers have said.
Action will also take place on Wednesday 5 February (main gates), Thursday 6 February (Ainsthorpe Garden entrance) and Friday 14 February (main gates).