Messages of support for HMRC strike

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PCS Comment

22 June 2012

Messages of support are being sent from across the labour movement supporting the PCS Revenue and Customs strike on Monday.

More than 55,000 revenue staff are set to take action in protest at thousands of job cuts, privatisation and changes to working practices.

A number of high-profile figures from the trade union movement have already sent solidarity messages.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union said: "PCS members fighting job cuts and privatisation have our full support. We are battling both privatisation and job cuts in further and higher education and it is important that union members take a stand and show this government that it cannot keep dishing out tax cuts for those at the top and taking jobs and opportunity away from everyone else."

Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists said: "The NUJ is sending its support and solidarity to all PCS members working for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs who are taking strike action on Monday, June 25 over job cuts and privatisation. While David Cameron is happy to garner headlines by castigating people such as Jimmy Carr for avoiding tax, he is at the same time cutting the jobs of the people who are at the frontline of the tax system. The staff at HMRC deserve better."

Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers' Association, said: "The POA fully supports our brothers and sisters in PCS who are taking strike action to protect themselves from an uncaring coalition government. Cuts and privatisation to hard-working public servant PCS members at HMRC are disgraceful and unnecessary and the POA offers you full support in your struggle."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “The NUT sends a message of solidarity and support to PCS members taking strike action. We have stood together in the pensions campaign over many months. The NUT ballot is now underway to allow us to take action on pay and conditions alongside other unions.

"We hope to see many PCS members at the marches and rallies called for 14 July in Oxford and Sheffield.”

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey told BBC TV's Question Time audience: "PCS members will be on strike on Monday to defend their jobs and to bring to public attention that we're being ripped off on tax avoidance."

Ronnie Draper, general secretary of the Bakers, Food, and Allied Workers Union, said: "The members of BFAWU send their fraternal support to our comrades in PCS, who have been forced to take action against their employer in opposition to savage job cuts and privatisation plans.

"We call upon HMRC to act like a decent employer and get back around the table to achieve a negotiated, amicable settlement. Cuts never have been the answer to the perceived deficit crisis and never will be. There are sensible alternatives and we urge HMRC to explore every avenue rather than backing their employees into a position where industrial action becomes the only option. Solidarity."

Robert Monks, general secretary of the United Road Transport Union, said: “For the current government to seek to justify job cuts among PCS members employed by HMRC at this time is nothing short of scandalous. When you have the current prime minister making such an issue of tax avoidance, the last thing that this country needs at this present moment in time is further job cuts at HMRC. URTU members applaud and support the action of PCS members taking part in strike action."

Send messages of support to: R&Ccampaigns@pcs.org.uk

Public and Commercial Services Union