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From The Socialist newspaper, 27 March 2019
West London civil service workers strike against office closure
PCS members on strike, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
PCS civil servants' union members at the HMRC Ealing Office (International House) in west London had a successful half-day strike on 19 March. Almost all staff walked out at 12 noon in protest at the plan to close the office as part of the misnamed 'Building our Future' programme.
One PCS rep told the Socialist: "It should be called destroying our futures! Many staff in International House have already been redeployed to Ealing after an earlier office closure. They have to commute to get to Ealing, an onward journey to the new office in Stratford will be well outside reasonable daily travel. There is also a significant proportion of staff with disabilities and caring responsibilities - making it impossible for them to travel to Stratford. Ealing is already the last stop for our members. If this office closes our members will be out of a job".
The strike ballot was won with 84% voting in favour of strike action and 95% voting in favour of action short of a strike.
The cuts in HMRC have been relentless. Tens of thousands of years of tax experience has been lost as a direct result of office closure plans. The 'Building Our Future' proposals will see 90% of HMRC offices closed and replaced by fewer than 20 'regional centres and specialist sites'.
As part of these proposals the International House in Ealing could close as early as 2020, putting many of the staff at risk of redundancy. The Ealing campaign needs to be part of a campaign of protests and industrial action across HMRC to stop the office closure programme, defend members' jobs and the service they provide.
- Further strike action is planned for 3 April and 10-12 April
- Send messages of support and donations to RCGroup@pcs.org.uk
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Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
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We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our special coronavirus appeal.
In The Socialist 27 March 2019:
What we think
Corbyn and labour movement must mobilise to bring down Tories and force election
Socialist Party news and analysis
Haringey 'Corbyn council' finance chief resigns
Oil firms spend $1bn fighting climate laws: 'Green New Deal' needs socialist policies
Universal Credit forces women into 'survival sex': scrap it now!
NHS staff shortage now permanent: reverse health cuts!
International socialist news and analysis
Algeria uprising: 'We stay here until the whole system goes'
Socialist history
Lessons of the heroic 1984-85 Miners' strike
Visteon: when factory occupations stayed the hands of the bosses
Workplace news and analysis
Support the Honda workers: nationalise to save jobs
Valentine school strike against budget cuts and redundancies
Newark machine bearings factory workers return to work
Striking teachers march against Enfield schools academisation plans
Bradford College strike remains solid over pay and funding
West London civil service workers strike against office closure
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
United working-class struggle needed to fight for trans and women's rights
Leeds residents' anger against private 18-story monster block in 'Little London'
Enthusiastic Southern region socialists plan for the struggles ahead
Worcester library cuts: staff not even consulted
Opinion
Reader's comment: mental health under capitalism
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2019