Union warns of action amid HMRC ‘betrayal’

100 posts advertised to public after allegedly being promised to staff members whose positions are at risk

Union bosses have warned that HMRC staff could take industrial action amid claims they have been betrayed.

It comes after news emerged that about 100 new posts have become available in Dundee, which the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union claims staff at Sidlaw House were promised.

The office is to close for good in 2022, with staff either being made redundant or offered work in Edinburgh.

More than 300 local workers were told their jobs were under threat but it was previously said they would be offered new jobs at the city’s Social Security Scotland (SSS) office.

It has now emerged the posts are being widely advertised and the union has accused HMRC management of breaking their promise to staff.

David Lardner, branch secretary of the PCS, said: “We have become aware that 100 jobs for the Scottish

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More than 300 staff, some of whom have been with HMRC and previous departments for more than 40 years, once again feel disregarded, denigrated and ignored. DAVID LARDNER, BRANCH SECRETARY OF THE PCS

Social Security agency are now being advertised for positions in Dundee.

“Despite more than a year of ongoing correspondence and discussion with both the Scottish Government and HMRC, these jobs have not been put to HMRC staff in Dundee under an Expression of Interest (EOI).

“As a result, the union is now exploring industrial action in Dundee.

“Despite ongoing discussions and undertakings to work with PCS, and despite assurances in the press and to local MPS, HMRC at no point made PCS or staff in Dundee aware that jobs staff had presumed would be offered under an EOI were not going to be offered, instead waking up to find these jobs being advertised publicly.

“More than 300 staff, some of whom have been with HMRC and previous departments for more than 40 years, once again feel disregarded, denigrated and ignored.”

An HMRC spokesman said: “HMRC is actively seeking Expression of Interest (EOI) agreements for our people in Dundee. We would not, and have not refused them.

“We are also providing ongoing proactive support to help colleagues make informed decisions about their future, including HR support events.

“We will continue to work with other government departments and colleagues from Social Security Scotland to do all we can to support people to find other roles inside the civil service.”