The Revenue & Customs GEC has voted unanimously to serve notice on HMRC for industrial action. We are therefore asking all members to take strike action on 7 June and again on 8 June, and to take part in action short of strike action from 4pm on 7 June.
Background
At its meeting on 31 May the GEC met to consider progress that had been made towards resolving the issues of dispute in relation to the attendance management policy.
Whilst it is clear that considerable progress has been made towards addressing concerns around time to attend medical and dental appointments, and we have commitments around the wellbeing agenda, the GEC were concerned that the considerations points, which remain at 5 days and 3 occasions, may still be used by some managers as the definitive point at which punitive action can be taken against our members.
We cannot currently be assured, therefore, that any consideration points, irrespective of the level at which they are set, will not be used to automatically invoke the potential for MPPA or disciplinary procedures nor to otherwise exert undue pressure on staff.
We are not, at this point, asking members to take any full day’s strike action, but to work specific hours and stage walk outs at specific times.
All branches are asked to read the detailed timings below and make sure members are aware of the specific actions we are asking members to take and, on the days themselves, to make sure that members are encouraged to take action at these times.
A members briefing has been issued reiterating details of the specific action and an additional leaflet for circulation to members has been dispatched to all branches. All this material is available on the group pages of the PCS website and hard copies of leaflets will be arriving in branches and at branch secretary’s home addresses in the next few days.
We have very limited time to organise this strike and we need membership support if we are to stand any chance of moving the department towards a position on consideration points particularly, which we are satisfied with. We now need all branches to do everything they can to support the action.
Industrial action
PCS served notice on HMRC yesterday that the union intends to ask all PCS members in HMRC to commence action on 7 June 2011. It is important that branches make every effort to ensure members are fully briefed on the proposed action.
Due to the complexity of legislation governing industrial action, action must begin at some point on 7 June after 16.00 and before 23.59hrs in order for the ballot mandate to remain protected.
On this basis branches are instructed to mobilise members to take part in strike action and action short of a strike as follows:
On 7 June all members are asked to walk out of work for one hour from 16.00 to 17.00 hours; Members who work beyond 17.00 hours should return to work at 17.00. Members who finish work before 17.00 should simply go home;
On 8 June all members are instructed to walk in to work at 10.00. Members on PN103 or other restrictive contracts or working patterns are asked to walk out at 09.30 and walk in at 10.00 with their colleagues; On 8 June all members are instructed to take a set lunch break between 11.30 and 13.30 hours; For most members the lunch break action will be comprised of a combination of their normal lunch break, on departmental time, and strike action; From 16.00 on 7 June we are additionally asking all members to take action short of strike action comprising of: a refusal to work overtime; asking members to ‘work properly’ and not cut corners; and where members use their own vehicles, to cease doing so immediately and to use pool cars or take public transport when undertaking work visits.
Action on 7 June
All members are required to take strike action between 16.00 and 17.00. Branches are asked to hold members’ meetings to rally their members at each office. Branches should be using the opportunity to focus on the national ballot and the process of action to be taken on 8 June.
Please note, where members finish work earlier than 16.00 they should go home as normal but be approached to make a donation of an hour’s pay to the hardship fund. Members that are required to continue work after 17.00 should cease all work between 16.00 and 17.00 and return to normal duties at 17.00.
When ceasing work at 16.00 hours all members are instructed to ensure that:
Their machines are logged off All work not completed should be filed away Their desks are cleared and tidy Leave the building with coats, bags, personal items etc And where possible attend a members meeting
Action on the morning 8 June
All members not engaged on a PN103 contract (on a regular civil service contract that attracts flexible working conditions) are instructed to not report for duty until 10.00. Branches are asked to mount picket lines to discourage staff from working till 10.00.
Members on PN103 or other restrictive contracts or working patterns should work their normal contracted hours, but are instructed to take strike action from 09.30 to 10.00, when they should join their colleagues in walking in at 10.00. Members on PN103 contracts when taking strike action at 9.30 are instructed to ensure:
Their machines are logged off All work not completed filed away Their desks are cleared and tidy Leave the building with coats, bags, personal items etc
Action at lunch time on 8 June
All members, regardless of contract, are instructed to take 2 hours of strike action between 11.30 and 13.30 hours. All members should ensure that they leave the building and attend a meeting and/or picket their office. This action combines members’ lunch breaks (which are paid) and additional strike time (which is unpaid).
When ceasing work at 11.30 members should ensure:
Their machines are logged off All work not completed filed away Their desks are cleared and tidy Leave the building with coats, bags, personal items etc And where possible attend a members meeting
Action short of strike
Commencing at 16.00 hours on 7 June and to run continuously until further notice, members are also instructed to carry out the following:
Refuse any overtime that may be offered by the department To ‘work properly’ and ensure that no short cuts are taken Any member using their own vehicle for HMRC business must cease doing so and seek to use the departments pool cars are public transport. We may also be calling on members to take additional action short of a strike if we cannot reach a negotiated settlement.
PCS Bootle Taxes Branch 