Trade unions support for sacked PCS reps

At this week’s TUC Congress, over 100 signatures were collected from visitors to the PCS stall for the petition calling for them to be reinstated. This included TUC general secretary, Paul Nowak who signed to show his support.

The theme of this year’s PCS stall at TUC Congress was focussed on what we want the new Labour UK government to do to improve workplace justice. As part of this we want them to deliver on their promise to strengthen rights and protections for trade union reps to undertake their work.

The petition highlights the unjust sacking of Gordon Askew, Rachel Farmer and Joel Hamilton by HMRC for undertaking trade union activities and demands their reinstatement. It also demands an end to the victimisation of any reps at HMRC Benton View Park, calling for an immediate halt to any further action against elected PCS representatives.

Political intervention

Following a recent lobby held in Parliament where the reps spoke to MPs about their case, the PCS parliamentary group chair John McDonnell wrote the Minister, James Murray to seek a meeting.

In the letter, John wrote: “We very much appreciate you reiterating that the government greatly values and respects the work of trade union representatives in supporting their members.  We'd therefore encourage you to take urgent steps to ensure that HMRC management are aware that is simply unacceptable to target trade union reps for draconian disciplinary sanctions, which appears to have happened in a number of instances at Benton Park View.”   

Email your local MP to ensure they add their support to the campaign.