HMRC deploy Surge Response Officers to counter PCS industrial action

The three reps, Rachel Farmer, Joel Hamilton and Gordon Askew, have been dismissed by HMRC in a clear case of trade union victimisation.

Members working at Employer Services in PT Ops in Benton Park View in Newcastle will be on strike from today until 14 February unless the employer reappoints the sacked reps.

To mitigate the effect of the industrial action, HMRC have decided that over 100 staff who work in the Surge and Rapid Response Team (SRRT) will be deployed to work in Employer Services.

No consultation took place with PCS before Surge Response Officers were told last Wednesday that the deployment will start on 6 January, and will be compulsory for those selected.

PCS told HMRC their decision is provocative and will undermine industrial relations. Rather than strike-breaking, Surge Response Officers could have been helping to clear the backlog of pension credit applications in advance of the deadline for winter fuel payments.

In 2022 Surge Response Officers were deployed to border control work when PCS members in UK Border Force took strike action. In discussions with PCS, HMRC agreed that only volunteers would be asked to cover for strikers.

Legally, HMRC can redeploy staff to cover those taking strike action. However, compelling staff to do so is unprecedented. For this to be happening under a Labour government is deeply concerning.

HMRC confirmed to PCS on Friday that the deployment will proceed as planned on 6 January.

Motion A5 at PCS national conference 2023 demanded that Surge Response Officers should never be used for strike-breaking. PCS will be revisiting this motion given the changed stance of HMRC.

We have spoken to PCS colleagues in BPV who are already seeing unlimited overtime and other incentives being offered to undermine the strike action. They are adamant that Surge Response Officers drafted in with limited training will face real difficulties in this complex customer facing role.

PCS next steps are to:

• ask James Murray MP - Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury – to intervene.
• support any Surge Response Officers who question if they have adequate support to do the work that they are being compelled to do.

In advance of further advice we recommend that Surge Response Officers do not risk disciplinary action by refusing deployment to Employer Services. Our striking colleagues know that SRRT members are not doing this work by choice.