HMRC
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Search site for keywords: HM Revenue and Customs - Pay - HMRC - DWP - Candidates
HMRC: Divisive pay deal leads to expulsions
PCS members on strike, photo Helen Pattison (Click to enlarge)
An HMRC worker
PCS members in the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are voting on a pay deal. The deal is for a 13% pay increase over three years, but if agreed would put all staff onto a new contract with a significant worsening of conditions for many members.
The proposed pay deal has created divisions on the left in the HMRC group. This has led to the expulsion of left activists, including Socialist Party members, from Left Unity - the current leadership group within PCS. These activists oppose the pay deal, are campaigning against it in the ballot and, together with other reps, are contesting PCS national and group executive elections as Broad Left Network (BLN) candidates: the BLN is a rank-and-file socialist group within the union.
The expulsions from Left Unity are claimed to be for the decision to oppose/not recommend Left Unity candidates. But the political and hypocritical nature of the expulsions is clear.
A number of the people behind this decision refused to recommend and campaign for Chris Baugh, the Left Unity candidate in the assistant general secretary election. As a consequence he lost. No action was taken against these people, which included the Left Unity chairperson.
The national leadership of Left Unity backed the pay deal in HMRC and at group level made no recommendation. This divisive deal, which means a significant worsening of conditions for a large number of members, was negotiated in conditions of secrecy. It is being balloted on without the full details and impact of the deal being made known to members.
Those in HMRC standing as Broad Left Network election candidates are opposed to this divisive, strings-attached pay deal and to the imposition of the new contracts on members whether they like it or not. They are opposed to the secrecy surrounding the negotiations resulting in the deal. They are opposed to a ballot which misrepresents and keeps vital information from members. Opposition to the deal is the basis of their decision to stand for election as Broad Left Network candidates.
The proposed HMRC deal, if accepted, will strike a huge blow against the union's national campaign for a decent no-strings pay increase for all PCS members.
This was already damaged by the Left Unity leadership's handling of the 2020 pay campaign, which parked the union's agreed 10% pay claim as a gesture towards national unity with the Tory government. This gesture was thrown back in their face by the Tories, leading to the abandonment of the pay campaign and to an emboldened government announcing a further pay freeze.
PCS national elections are underway with nominations to be agreed at branch annual general meetings taking place now until 11 March. The Broad Left Network candidates are listed below.
PCS Broad Left Network election candidates - vote for the following
- President: Lloyd Marion: (BEIS)
- Vice-presidents: Brittle Fiona: (Scot Gov), Brown Sarah: (Met Police), Semple Dave: (DWP)
- National Executive Committee:
- Bartlett Dave: MOJ
- Borland Rebecca: Home Office
- Brittle Fiona: Scot Gov
- Brown Alex: Health
- Brown Sarah: Met Police
- Denman Kevin Met Police
- Dennis Alan DSG
- Foxton Gill: DfE
- Francis Sue BEIS
- Guinnane Paul: DfE
- Heemskerk Rachel: DWP
- Lloyd Marion: BEIS
- Lowry Tom: DWP
- Parker Nick BEIS
- Rees Dave DWP
- Ritchie Rob: Met Police
- Semple Dave DWP
- Suter Paul DWP
- Tweedale Saorsa-Amatheia DWP
- Williams Katrine DWP
- Worswick Craig: DWP
- Young Colin DfE
- Bridges Andi: HMRC
- Davies Jaime: HMRC
- Doyle Nick: HMRC
- McDougall Rachelle: HMRC
- Rosser Jon-Paul: HMRC
- Young Bobby: HMRC
Donate to the Socialist Party
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.
- 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.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
LATEST POSTS
12 May Stop Israeli state brutality
 |
9 May Post-election meetings
15 May Birmingham Socialist Party: How can we fight for socialist change and a new workers' party?
17 May Oxfordshire & Aylesbury Socialist Party: The role of the state
18 May Bristol North Socialist Party: Liverpool - history of socialist struggle
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 075 4018 9052
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 079 3539 1947
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999