The strikes started last December at Benton Park View after three staff, who were elected union reps for the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), were dismissed by HMRC for trade union activity.

Several hundred staff working on HMRC’s employer services helplines at the Benton View office in Newcastle went on strike, affecting employer and construction industry scheme helplines. The strike action was extended beyond the initially planned eight days and as the months went by HMRC helplines were hit by large backlogs and long wait times.

The industrial action ended on 6 June without resolution, with the PCS confirming the three staff members had not been reinstated.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: ‘Through six months of industrial action, our members at Benton Park View have shown an unwavering commitment to winning back the jobs of their reps who were unfairly sacked for their trade union activity.

‘PCS remains open to talks with the employer to settle the dispute, but it is regrettable that they have not tried to find a settlement.

‘At our recent annual delegate conference, PCS recommitted itself to campaigning to get our reps’ jobs reinstated. In light of this, we are now considering the next steps in our campaign.’

HMRC does not comment on ongoing employment matters, but an HMRC spokesperson told Business & Accountancy Daily: ‘We always aim to work constructively with our trade unions to support our people and deliver an effective service for our customers.’

A series of updates on HMRC’s website on 9 June referenced the end of the six-month long strike, which affected a number of helpline services.

The HMRC notice stated: ‘The information about industrial action between 23 December 2024 and 6 June 2025 has been removed as the action has now ended.’