In a bold move to protest the dismissal of union representatives, members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have scheduled eight days of strike action, which will undoubtedly ripple through the taxpayer community. This strike, centred at HMRC's offices in Newcastle at Benton Park View, is set to disrupt key services, particularly during a critical period for taxpayers.
The Strike Schedule and Immediate Impact
The strike action will unfold over eight specific dates between late December 2024 and mid-February 2025. These dates are strategically chosen to coincide with peak times for tax-related queries, especially affecting those using the employer helplines and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). The HMRC has already issued warnings that these strikes will lead to longer wait times for telephone and webchat services, urging taxpayers to utilise online services where possible.
Taxpayers Caught in the Crossfire
For taxpayers, particularly small businesses and self-employed individuals, this strike could not come at a worse time. With the self-assessment tax return deadline looming, the disruption might lead to:
- Extended Wait Times: Taxpayers needing assistance with their tax filings, especially those unfamiliar with online platforms, will face significant delays. This could result in missed deadlines, penalties, or rushed submissions prone to errors.
- CIS and PAYE Disruptions: Companies and subcontractors relying on the CIS for timely deductions and refunds will find themselves in limbo, potentially affecting cash flow and operational efficiency.
- Increased Staff Pressure: The remaining staff not participating in the strike will be under immense pressure to handle the backlog, which might further degrade service quality during non-strike days as well.
Broader Economic Implications
Beyond the immediate inconvenience, there are several broader implications:
- Economic Ripple Effect: Small businesses might feel the pinch, with delays in tax refunds or adjustments potentially affecting their liquidity. This could slow down economic activity at a micro-level, impacting local economies.
- Public Perception of HMRC: Frequent disruptions might erode trust in HMRC's ability to manage tax affairs efficiently, leading to a broader public discourse on the effectiveness of public services and their funding.
- Policy and Labor Relations: This strike underscores ongoing tensions between public sector workers and government, potentially influencing future labour policies, employment practices, and how industrial disputes are managed in public services.
Navigating Through the Strike
For taxpayers:
- Use Online Services: HMRC recommends using online tools for tax submissions and queries. This includes the self-assessment online portal, which is less likely to be affected by the strike.
- Plan Ahead: If possible, resolve tax matters well before or after the strike dates to avoid bottlenecks.
- Seek Alternative Advice: For complex issues, consider professional tax advice or community resources to navigate through this period.
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on HMRC's official communications for any updates on service availability or additional guidance.
Conclusion
The HMRC strike is more than just a labour dispute; it's a significant event for UK taxpayers. The action highlights systemic issues within public sector employment and service delivery, affecting millions who rely on these services for their fiscal duties. As the strike dates approach, the focus will be on how effectively HMRC can manage this disruption and what measures will be taken post-strike to restore service levels and public trust.
For now, taxpayers are advised to brace for potential delays and to use this as an opportunity to familiarise themselves with digital tax services, which might become increasingly crucial in managing future tax obligations amidst such disruptions.
Tax does have to be taxing.
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Here’s some facts. This “strike” (I say that in the loosest terms as the union are paying the wages of staff to encourage them to take action) affects only a small group of around 200 staff. If the union believe staff are passionate about this lost cause stop paying them and see what the response is
ReplyDeleteAgreed. The truth is all staff, bar the corrupt ones, are pleased to see colleagues sacked for breaking the law
DeleteDo calm down.
DeleteThe reps in question were not "sacked for breaking the law".
They were dismissed for 'potential' breach of departmental IT rules.
In other words, HMRC management deliberately provoked the industrial action.
So just to be clear, a potential breach has to be proven to dismiss someone so are you saying these reps who have been presumably proven to have committed serious policy breaches is part of a management ploy to incite industrial action. You need to stay off whatever you are smoking!
ReplyDeleteTo use an expression much loved by you alt-right types - 'do the research'.
DeleteThe term "potential" was used by HMRC itself in the formal notification of dismissal.
The heinous offence committed by the rep was to erroneously contact members who were not directly involved in industrial action via Microsoft Teams. Management thereby interpreted this as using the system "without a legitimate business reason". Tenuous to say the least, not helped by HMRC saying that the rep didn't seem sorry enough!
Normally a vote for strike action would receive about 75% approval at best. In this case the vote was 96%, a clear indication of the strength of feeling of those who can see what is going on.
Those who follow these things closely will be aware that HMRC has been trying to get PCS out of the department since the days of Lin Homer at least. The hope is that the union will then be replaced by a bland, management-led staff association willing to rubber stamp any management decision.
Finally, it surprises me that so many posters on here go on endlessly about HMRC bullying, but seem unable to believe that they could bully union reps.
I don’t have the inside info like you clearly do but you must be confident! Or is it another “misconceived” case like this one I heard was raised and a friend told me about. This is in the public domain. Hope this campaign doesn’t cost your reps money like this one and you have your set up a go fund me! https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66e04d2b0fb5be18c835cdf4/Mr_R_Mervin_v_His_Majesty_s_Revenue_and_Customs_2500158-2023_Judgment.pdf
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what I am supposed to be "confident" about, but whatever.
DeleteThey are not my reps, I am merely an interested observer with considerable experience of HMRC.
The fact remains that dismissal remains a good option for large employers like HMRC. Even if the reps were to win a tribunal case most awards are capped at one year's salary, but in reality much less than that. Basically value for money for a ruthless employer wanting to get rid of an inconvenient employee.
An observer who claims to have researched this case (your words) and quotes words from the dismissal letter? Where is it published so others can do their research? I will wait for the tribunal judgement when all the evidence is considered. I have seen union reps try and spin words many times. Having asked staff to strike and miss out on pension pay I fully expect them to publish the judgements on any Tribunal (they are normally published anyway) so staff can see ALL the facts and assess whether the steps taken by their employer were justified. I don’t buy the argument that employers sack people for nothing, especially in civil service.
ReplyDeleteWhat you do is type 'HMRC sacked union reps' into your search engine and read the results. In the case of Professor Google this refers you mainly to local press reports and PCS circulars dating back to February/March 2024.
DeleteAnd yes, I do realise that the PCS versions will not be unbiased, but HMRC have chosen not to refute publically the allegations therein.
I suspect that the striking staff at Longbenton have considerably more knowledge of the events that occurred at Longbenton than either you or I.
I wonder why you are so confident that the tribunal will find against the reps. Clearly the trivial nature of their 'offences' has nothing to do with their involvement in the 2023 industrial action!
Once again, having spent years on this site reading that HMRC managers are without exception bullying psychopaths I am amazed that you seem to think that they are incapable of wrongdoing in this case. It must be difficult for a certain type of person to decide who they hate most, government organisations or trade unions.
"...it's a significant event for taxpayers..." LOL 😆 Taxpayers will be unaware and unbothed by it, HMRC staff are lazy anyway
ReplyDeleteI used to work for HMRC and have to admit there is a culture of laziness that pervades the department. Keep it to yourself though, because truth nuggets do infuriate the bullies at HMRC, current and historic.
Delete@16.40.
DeleteThey're all lazy.
They're all bullies.
So you didn't get that promotion you thought you deserved?
🤣🤣🤣