PCS suspends action for talks

The PCS union has suspended all industrial action in HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for two months to enter talks with the employer.

The HMRC’s Group Executive Committee (GEC) voted for the suspension last week. The dispute is over job cuts, privatisation and a draconian sickness absence policy.

The GEC’s decision was not unanimous. Some felt that gains such as an extension of temporary contracts and talks on privatisation were not enough to warrant suspension.

There has been no commitment by the HMRC to do anything other than talk. And bosses still intend to cut a further 10,000 jobs by 2015.