Following a successful national ballot in November 2022, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) leadership decided to conduct a campaign based on targeted strike action at specific workplaces in early 2023. One of those was the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) site at Benton Park View, Newcastle, where, in early 2024, three reps were sacked. Since December 2024, members at the site have taken a number of weeks of strike action.
Gordon Askew, one of three sacked reps, spoke to Elaine Brunskill on the 5 February picket line.
This situation started back in the spring of 2023. At that time there was a national campaign for better pay. This site was chosen by the PCS to be one of those targeted for industrial action.
Following the industrial action, senior management started disciplinary action against me. This went on for months. During this time, they started action against Rachel Farmer (another rep) too.
I was sacked in January 2024, via email. I’ve been here almost 29 years!
It was summary dismissal (ie immediate). Subsequently, Rachel was sacked, then another rep, Joel Hamilton, was sacked on an unrelated issue. This was clearly an attack on the branch. Other reps were also threatened with disciplinary action.
Obviously this has had a devastating impact on myself, my wife and our three kids. Previously, I had a totally spotless record, so to be treated this way, handed the worst possible penalty the department could give, left me in a state of complete shock. If it wasn’t for the financial and emotional support from PCS and my family, I don’t know how I would have coped.
This matter has been dragging on for almost two years and the fact that HMRC has steadfastly refused to make any effort to resolve the dispute tells you everything you need to know about how they treat trade union reps.
PCS needs a fighting leadership!
Nominations have opened in the PCS union elections. Please nominate candidates who are prepared to stand up to Starmer’s Labour government to defend jobs, pay and pensions.
