Strike action is expected to impact HMRC helplines this week as customer service employees walk out over pay disputes.
More than 400 staff members will go on strike for a total of 18 days, from 10 May (today) until 2 June.
The strikers work as part of HMRC’s personal taxation operations team and support customers with a wide range of tax issues.
As a result, the walkout could cause significant problems for individual taxpayers and businesses who need to use HMRC helplines.
Customers calling about PAYE, National Insurance and self-assessment tax returns may have longer wait times due to the strike. The walkout is likely to also affect the construction industry scheme helpline, the student loans unit and the penalties helpline.
According to the Public and Commercial Services Union, the HMRC employees are striking over “pay, pensions, job security and redundancy terms”.
Further strike dates are scheduled over the few weeks:
- 15-19 May
- 22-26 May
- 29-31 May
- 1-2 June.
These walkouts follow on from HMRC members taking part in national strike action on 28 April, which put further pressure on HMRC’s already-struggling helplines.
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