PCS Glasgow & Clyde HMRC And Valuation Branch

AGM PACK

2017

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Contents

3. Introduction/ Agenda4. Branch Nominations/ Group Nominations5. Group Nominations/ National Nominations6. Annual Report7. Financial Report8. Motion Guidance/ Standing Orders/ Motions Timings9. Branch Motions/ National Motions10. Group Motions

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Introduction

Thanks for attending the 2018 Glasgow & Clyde HMRC And Valuation Branch AGM. We've got an extremely busy agenda for this year's AGM but hope to get through all business within the restricted time we have available. We look forward to hearing from you in the various debates that will be held on the motions we're putting forward and are also delighted to have GEC Member Scott Clark as our guest speaker this year.

We'd like to thank you for attending and hope you enjoy the meeting.

Many thanks,

Glasgow & Clyde Branch Executive Committee

Agenda

1. Welcome from President2. Apologies3. Elections

a) AGM Scrutineersb) Branch Auditorsc) Declaration of elected BEC membersd) Branch Women’s Advisory Committee (BWAC)e) Group Conference Delegatesf) National Conference Delegatesg) Group Nominationsh) National Nominations

4. Guest Speaker5. Reports

a) Branch Annual Reportb) Financial Report

6. Branch Motions7. National Motions8. Group Motions9. Declaration of AGM Election Results10. AOCB

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Branch Nominations

One available position, unless otherwise stated. All nominees are elected/ agreed unopposed.

Branch Auditors (2): Bryan Massie, James Wason

BEC Members:Secretary: Taylor RiachAssistant Secretary: George McIlvinneyPresident: Stuart JeffreyVice Presidents (2): William Telfer, (VOA reserved position vacant)Organiser: Kirsty BrownTreasurer: Bobby YoungWomen's Officer: Caroline McKechnie

BAME Officer: Folake MosuroDisabled Members' Officer: Dom LombardiEnvironmental Officer: VacancyHealth & Safety Officer: Gill ForbesProud Officer: Kirsty BrownTraining Officer: Adrien BoyeldieuUnion Learning Coordinator: Eddie BlackYoung Members' Officer: Christina Leggat

Branch Women's Advisory Committee (5): five vacancies

Group Conference Delegates (3): Stuart Jeffrey, William Telfer, one vacancy

National Conference Delegates (3): Stuart Jeffrey, William Telfer, Bobby Young

Group Nominations

President: Lorna MerryVice President: Hector WesleyDeputy Group Secretary: John DavidsonTreasurer: Hamish Drummond

Assistant Group Secretaries (8): Clive Bryant, Mark Emmerson, Ian Lawther, Alex Morgan, Marianne Owens, Colette Smith, John Smith, Bobby Young

Ordinary GEC Positions (19): Tracy Boyce, Scott Clark, Harvey Crane, Cathy Darcan, Andy Forster, Beth Greenough, Dave Hansford, Clara Harmer, Kris Hendry, Amjad Ismail, Sharon Jeffrey, Mo Lumb, Kevin McHugh, Martyn Mellis, Graham Naylor, Andy O'Donnell, Alan Runswick, Adam Smith, Paul Wolfe

Auditor (2): Ian ColledgeEditorial Board (3): Pete Goddard, Darren Price, Gregg SmithBMAC (8): Tracey HyltonDMAC (8): Barbra Farmer, Andy Forster, Clara Harmer, Martyn Mellis, Janet Clark, James Kane, Sara Laws

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Environmental Advisory Committee (6): Sarah Broad, Simon BrettGWAC (8): Sarah Broad, Clara Harmer, Emma Hughes, Jacqui Hughes, Rachel OgilvieLGBT Advisory Committee (8): Steven Darbyshire, Kris Hendry, Sara Laws, Sandra QuayleYMAC (8): Rebecca Borland, Rachel Ogilvie, Jennifer Reed, Sean Thomas, Daniel Weymouth, Cristiona Brammeld, Alison Murray, Kris Rowe

National Nominations

President: Janice GodrichVice Presidents (4): Jackie Green, Fran Heathcote, Zita Holbourne, Kevin McHughOrdinary NEC Positions (30): Mark Baker, Paula Brown, Clive Bryant, Martin Cavanagh, Harvey Crane, Alan Dennis, Felicity Flynn, Angela Grant, Sam Hall, Austin Harney, John Jamieson, Tahir Latif, Neil License, Marion Lloyd, Dominic McFadden, John McInally, Kenny McKay, John Maguire, Lorna Merry, Marianne Owens, Ian Pope, Annette Rochester, Alison Roder, Dave Semple, Steve Thorley, Candy Udwin, Karen Watts, Hector Wesley, Katrine Williams, Paul Williams Editorial Board (5): Sharon Edwards, Kevin McCafferty, Nick Parker, Rachel Watts, Bobby YoungSOC (2): Derek Mellor, Calum WalkerTUC (6): Mark Emmerson, Rhea James, Louis Kowalska, Mark Page, Gordon Rowntree, Steve SwainstonWTUC (3): Cathy Darcan, Ruth Henderson, Carol RevellYTUC (2): Craig Jackson, Claire KeoghSTUC (4): Keith Brockie, Kris Hendry, Rosie Smith, Sarah SpencerSWTUC (2): Sharon Edwards, Liz McGacheySYTUC (2): Fiona Brittle, Gregor KuhnMember Trustree (1): Doreen Purvis

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Annual Report 2017/ 18

Organising remains a priority and after a declining membership for several years, the upturn in membership we saw over the last couple of years has stabilised, with membership remaining in the mid-800s. Whilst this is positive, particularly given the fear of it dropping below 700 a couple of years ago, it is still a priority for the branch to increase its density by at least an additional 20%, which would take membership to over 1000. A targeted organising plan should be a priority for the incoming Branch Executive Committee (BEC), and anything you as a PCS member can do to assist in strengthening PCS would be welcome.

Conference was successful this year - all motions submitted by this branch which made it to the conference floor were carried. The branch delegates all spoke at conference, either in moving our own motions or intervening in different debates. Special mention goes to our GDC delegation, who received a thank you card for supporting first-time delegates from Edinburgh Branch.

On that subject, close working between Scottish Branches and the Scottish full-time office is something that has significantly increased over the last few years. With the BoF plans in full swing, the Scottish Branches have all banded together and indeed, took the lead in organising a collective response against BoF, being the first PCS region where all branches coordinated their campaigning work against BoF. More significantly, our friends in Dundee Branch ran a successful campaign to ensure that all members within (the now closed) Caledonian House still had a job available in Sidlaw House if they wanted to remain within the department. Similarly, branches across Scotland are running extremely effective campaigns detailing the socioeconomic impact of closures both on the national & local economies, as well as outlining specific problems for PCS members who face job losses, winning support across local communities and within parliament. This work also saw the publication of a peer-reviewed national report detailing the negative financial & organisational impact of BoF closures in Scotland, a report which has been endorsed by various Scottish politicians and has been cited in other economic reviews & studies.

We're still awaiting the announcement of the Glasgow Regional Centre (RC) location,. There is an assumption being made by some that anyone who currently works in Glasgow will have a job in the new RC, however there is no guarantee of this. Current PCS estimates, based on information made available to us by the department, suggests that the department will have to shed in the region of 800 - 1000 jobs across our campus, over and above natural wastage, to accommodate the suggested Glasgow RC capacity - a capacity which has been reduced more than once so far by the department, with no suggestion that this trend won't continue. Either way, there has been no mechanism suggested by the department to PCS that determines which staff will be made redundant if more staff want to remain than the department is willing to employ - and no reason to assume that staff currently working in Glasgow will be given priority. This is why it's vital that everyone gets involved in PCS campaign against BoF.

Finally, the BEC would like to take this opportunity to congratulate BEC members Kirsty Brown & Folake Mosuro, who both gave birth this year. Similarly, we'd like to thank former BEC members Simon Dick and Mark Middleton, who both left the department earlier in the year. Finally, the BEC would like to pay tribute to Stevie Ferrier, who left the department on 31st Jan after 30 years of service. Stevie has been a stalwart of PCS for decades and a long time member of Dundee Branch, however has previously served as Glasgow & Clyde Branch's Vice-Chair and currently serves as Glasgow & Clyde Branch's Treasurer.

Stevie is well-known throughout PCS as a passionate, principled and dedicated trade unionist and will be missed by all within this union.

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Financial Report 2017

Firstly, the BEC would like to thank Bryan Massie & James Wason for auditing the branch accounts this year. The BEC is happy to report that there are no errors, all receipts are accounted for and the accounts are attached separately for inspection.

Income

All branch finances come via a rebate from PCS, which is calculated based on last year's expenditure, minus the year's starting balance, plus 5%. This year's total rebate from PCS was £311.57.

Expenditure

This year's expenditure amounted to £194.23, with details explained below.

A) Negotiation Meetings: This cost was nil as all negotiating meetings attended by branch reps took place in Glasgow, where all of our reps are based.

B) Branch General Meetings: As a result of the branch securing free meeting rooms during 2017, this cost was nil

C) Branch Executive Committee Meetings: Again, nil as all BEC meetings took place in the Glasgow PCS Office

D) BEC Sub Committees: Nil, as all sub-committee meetings took place in Glasgow at no cost

E) Branch Officers Expenditure: Cost of £81.60, covering three regional meetings (costs for these are now met by group) and two personal cases that required home visits

F) Printing, Stationery & Postage: Total cost of £42.63 - £30 spent on leaflets, with the remainder going on stamps, envelopes, postage etc

G) Affiliations & Donations: Nil, the branch made no donations and did not affiliate to any organisations

H) Other Expenditure: Cost of £70 relating to Wifi access (cost of £10 per month, this was cancelled after July)

Summary

Due to there being a lack of rebate paid in 2016, 2017 has been a relatively austere year for the branch. However, many previous overheads are also no longer a factor. Notably, BEC expenditure has significantly decreased, alongside printing, stationery & postage costs and other expenditure - indeed the branch has significantly decreased spending in all areas where spending was not already nil.

As PCS has been keen to tighten finances over the last few years, the branch has consistently reduced its expenditure over the same period, without seeing any detriment to the smooth and orderly functioning of the branch.

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Motion Guidance/ Standing Orders

To ensure that all motions are heard, we operate with time limits on speakers. As such, the mover of the motion gets three minutes with all other speakers getting two minutes. The mover has the right to reply to any point raised during the debate, although has to do this within a three minute limit after everyone else has spoken. Should there be a lot of discussion, the chair has discretion over how many people are called to speak - this allows the chair to ensure that the AGM hears as many views as possible on a motion, but also as many motions as possible. When each speaker has thirty seconds left, the chair will indicate this to the AGM.

All motions need to be seconded. Movers and seconders can either speak to the motion or move it "formally" - to do this, the mover or seconder just has to say "formally" and makes no other contribution to the debate (expect where a mover is exercising their right of reply).

There are two different types of motions to be discussed at the AGM. One is "branch motions" which effectively allow you to amend the branch rules & set branch policy. The other are motions to be submitted for decision at group or national conference. Where branch constitutional amendments are carried, these need to be ratified by the PCS National Executive Committee (NEC) before they can come into force.

You can vote in four ways...

For - where you support the carriage of the motionAgainst - where you oppose the carriage of the motionRemit - where you ask for the Branch Executive Committee (BEC) to consider aspects of the motion but don't outright support or oppose the motion - NB. you cannot remit a rule changeAbstain - you have the right not to vote on the motion in any way

Rule changes require a majority of at least 2/3 of voting members present at the AGM to be carried.

As mentioned above, the AGM will also be asked to vote on motions for the branch to submit to both group & national conference. Where motions are submitted to group/ national conference, they will be discussed and voted on by delegates attending each conference. In this instance, you can either vote for or against a motion, or you can abstain.

The branch chair will make a decision on the outcome of votes. This can be challenged from the floor by any attendee calling for a hand count. In this instance, two tellers appointed at the start of the AGM will count hands for each position and report to the branch chair.

Lastly, you have the right to raise points of order at any time during the debate. This will be done where either you believe these standing orders have not been followed correctly or where you believe language has been used which is inconsistent with PCS' principles. The chair will rule on these points of order.

Motions Timings per Section

Branch Motions - 10 minutesNational Motions - 10 minutesGroup Motions - Remainder of available time

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Branch Motions

B1. Stevie Ferrier (mover: Stuart Jeffrey)

That this AGM notes that Stevie retired at the end of January after 30 years (to the day!) with the department, as well as being an active rep within PCS and its predecessor unions throughout that time. Stevie is well known throughout PCS as a passionate and highly-experienced rep. Whilst Stevie spent most of career in Dundee Branch, he has had two spells in Glasgow, previously as vice-chair during a period of significant change for the branch, whereby Stevie's support & experience was invaluable in ensuring a smooth transition for the branch - and most recently as the branch treasurer - a position he held until his retirement.

This AGM instructs the BEC to award Stevie with Honorary Life Membership of this branch, as well as nominating Stevie for Life Membership at Group & National Level.

National Motions

N1. WASPI Campaign (mover: Caroline McKechnie)

That this Conference recognizes that the Conservative government’s Pension Act (1995) included the provision to raise the pension age of women from 60 to 65, in line with men’s retirement age. The subsequent Pension Act (2011) implemented a much faster timetable for bringing in the changes.

That this also Conference recognises that significant numbers of PCS Members and over 3 million UK women, born in the 1950s, are badly affected by these changes to the State Pension age (SPa). Consequently, retirement plans for these women have been shattered with devastating consequences. When this group of women started work they were generally paid much less than men and often excluded from workplace pension schemes. Their generation has benefitted little from the social and legal changes that have improved working women’s lives and yet they are now being asked to shoulder much of the burden of equalisation with men. This change will affect over 3 million women suffering huge financial losses whilst not having been given enough notice to make alternative plans for their retirement.

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign was established to fight the injustice caused to women born on or after 6 April 1951, and for transitional arrangements to be put in place. They do not dispute the need for equalisation of the State Pension Age for men and women.Conference also believes that the women who have been so unjustly treated by this and previous governments deserve our support.

This Conference therefore calls upon the National Executive Committee to work with the National Women’s Committee, WASPI and any other relevant bodies to use whatever means possible in the campaign to introduce a fairer transitional arrangement for the women affected.

This work is to include, but not be exclusive to:

Continuing our support for the WASPI national campaign; Raising awareness of the issue and providing information for branches and affected

members on how to lobby their MP Supporting and informing women about the mass maladministration complaint being

pursued by WASPI

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Lobbying MPs to support the campaign and fair transitional arrangements for the women affected;

Encouraging branches and regions to establish links with local WASPI groups and work with them on the campaign

This work is to commence immediately subsequent to the close of Conference

Group Motions

G1. BT Ops (mover: Stuart Jeffrey)

That this Conference be informed that a “trial” is underway in Portcullis House, Glasgow to assess the possible integration of work of the former Directorates of Business Tax Operations and Personal Tax Operations specifically, for the moment, in the regime of VAT.

Conference has an established policy to monitor the merger of Directorates, in this case under the moniker of the Customer Services Group. This trial has raised concerns that traditional processing staff are to be used solely as telephone operators without the sharing of the processing work with established telephone operators; that the intention is simply to get more staff “on the phones.”The GEC is therefore instructed to monitor this development and if necessary address the following concerns;

That no staff who are not able to take on telephony work are not required to do so That those who are able to do so are provided with sufficient support, time and training That those staff who enjoy the traditional contracted Flexible Working Frameworks are not

expected to adopt new Frameworks, in fact that those staff who do not currently enjoy traditional “full flexi” are represented in negotiations to be awarded those T&Cs.

That any threat to an attack on “full flexi” be subject to full consultation and balloting on Industrial Action.

The above concerns are not exhaustive.

The above instructions are considered to be immediately implementable.

G2. Brexit (mover: Bobby Young)

That this conference notes Jon Thompson's comments to the PAC committee last year, in which he called into question the credibility of the department being able to continue to undertake its current organisational activities, before going on to state that in a no-deal Brexit scenario, the department will need to recruit up to 5,000 additional staff to cope with the fall-out.

Conference agrees that prior to Brexit, BoF was already an ill-conceived and dangerous proposition and with Brexit looming ever-closer, BoF is now so obviously unrealistic that even HMRC's Chief Executive has been forced to admit that it lacks credibility.

As such, conference instructs the GEC to reiterate our demand that BoF be paused until after the full impact of Brexit has been ascertained, pointing out the inconsistency with a department closing offices and shedding jobs whilst its Chief Executive simultaneously talks of the necessity to recruit thousands of additional staff.

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Give that the department has thus far rejected this demand, conference, in anticipating a continuation of this position, furthermore instructs to GEC to campaign for the following (taking into account the additional jobs cited by Thompson)...

Adequate trained staff to administer the huge increase in work, particularly on Customs and International Trade, that will arise from Brexit

A re-evaluation of the numbers and locations of compliance officers who will have to respond to requests to attend at ports and airports

A locations and compliance strategy that is driven by what the work of the department needs, rather than trying to fit the work needs around the estates programme

G3. Building Our Future Strategy (mover: Stuart Jeffrey)

That this conference acknowledges that, in our fourth year of debate on HMRC’s manifestly ridiculous & ideological BoF restructuring plan, an absurdly galvanising sequence of events has taken place. Conference is aware of the critical juncture we find ourselves at, with the reality of BoF Phase one a mere two years away. Conference agrees our campaign must be stepped up now.

Conference agrees:

Local individual campaigns, from Dundee to Ipswich to Porthmadog, have successfully delivered - without strike action - retention of jobs in those locations from entirely different platforms

Public outrage has been provoked by worldwide press publication of tax pornography such as the ‘Panama Papers’ and ‘Paradise Papers’ - the same public is now aware of the fundamental lack of funding for the tax collection that our department is obligated to undertake

Millions of voters in the 2017 General Election rejected Tory austerity policies in favour of others; Labour, SNP, PC; indicating support for investment in public services & an end to job cuts

HMRC Chief Executive Jon Thompson stated in September 2017 that ‘Brexit’ could require an extra 5,000 departmental jobs

We instruct the GEC to concentrate on the latter comment on all future negotiations with HMRC and furthermore instruct the GEC to campaign against BoF within the changing political context to;

Identify Branches, equally, which cano activate their Members to campaign for job retention o and those who are unable to do so

Where branches are well organised, offer support. Where branches need help, the GEC should actively assist.

Allocate resource to the compilation of data to strengthen the case for job retention in vulnerable areas. Hub leads can produce information based on SIP figures, BoF migration plans and KAI wastage rates to identify likely redundancies in each directorate per location post attrition. This data will give branches information required to motivate members into action

Seek support from all Parliamentary Groups to support those comrades in their valued work on our behalf to actively lobby council taskforces and parliamentary groups in all Parliaments for a new, alternative vision for HMRC modernisation based on the Tax Justice

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documents created by Scottish and UK-wide PCS campaigners over the past two years, based around tax justice, good customer service, higher local compliance presence and adequate IT & skills investment.

Survey members in all HMRC locations, obtaining data about increased travel & childcare costs, caring responsibilities and reasonable adjustments.

Work with Advisory Committees and Health & Safety teams to highlight inadequacies of existing Regional Centre plans, highlighting inadequacy for disabled members as an example of Government bias against all PCS members.

Ramp up our National Press Campaign. Our hard work in localised campaigns has been published in local newspapers, which has been picked up by senior management in HMRC. Our collective BoF voice has the potential to force a change of opinion if the National Press Campaign is utilised properly. HMRC fears bad press above all!

G4. Regional Centre Service Standards (mover: George McIlvinney)

That this conference notes the continuing announcements by HMRC of its Regional Centre & other future locations. PCS remains committed to opposing the disastrous & misnamed Building our Future programme, recognising however that the accommodation & facilities at many locations occupied by HMRC staff have been allowed to deteriorate over the course of the contract with Mapeley.

This meeting agrees that all HMRC workers deserve & require quality accommodation & equipment, along with building services delivered to a standard that meets the needs & demands of PCS members. This meeting is clear that the control of building services must remain in-house to enable the appropriate scrutiny & application of appropriate standards. This meeting also reaffirms the PCS policy that the preferred method of service delivery is via an in-house workforce.

The GEC is instructed to ensure that:

Appropriate structures for consultation & negotiation with DTUS on the future building service standards are in place

Members & branches are directly consulted over proposed changes to the provision of building services

Commitments are sought from the employer for in-house control & delivery of building services to be the preferred option for all HMRC occupied premises

G5. Tax Avoidance (mover: Taylor Riach)

That this conference believes that, despite the rhetoric, successive governments have not done enough to stamp out tax avoidance. Effectively their actions to date have amounted to little more than tacit acceptance of large scale tax avoidance. The response from the avoiders whenever they are challenged is that they are doing nothing illegal and they fully comply with the tax laws in every country they operate in.

If we are ever to come close to delivering tax justice then it is now clear we need to close down all tax havens where the UK has authority or influence to do so. We also need to legislate so that tax can no longer be legally avoided by either corporate entities or wealthy Individuals. The immorality of tax avoidance clearly doesn't bother those engaged in it and governments need to accept that it won't end until the option to engage in it is withdrawn.

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Conference therefore instruct the GEC to adopt the objective of ending all opportunities for tax avoidance. They are instructed to work with our partners in the PCS parliamentary group and others actively involved in fighting for tax justice to demand that legislation be introduced that ensures corporate and personal tax is paid in full on income derived from UK sales. Any loopholes or opportunities to avoid such tax obligations must also be closed off using legislation.

G6. Attendance Management (mover: Stuart Jeffrey)

That this conference, both with some reluctance and some appreciation, accepts that progress is being sought and gradually achieved by the GEC on tackling the issues faced by our most vulnerable Members following HMRC’s adoption of the CSEP (Civil Service Employee Policy) Attendance Management procedures in early 2017.

That being said we instruct the GEC to widen their stated bargaining aims (R&C/BB/132/17) to specifically include the recognition of, and proportionate action against, the perpetual breach of the only emboldened text in the entire policy that “the decision on the action to be taken remains the responsibility of the line manager and must not be escalated to, assumed by or attributed to the person giving the advice.”

Whilst line managers absolutely should seek appropriate advice and support where necessary, the manifest pattern of pressure being placed upon them by their subsequent line managers and/or HR case workers to change decisions not “to move” is unacceptable, in equal measure, to the both staff awaiting the decisions and our line manager members being constantly place in this position. Frequently this pressure is being applied, not as a means of support to managers or from a wider perspective as promoting a healthier workforce, but as simply as a means of achieving statistical aspiration.

The GEC is therefore instructed to

Specifically include this point in all related negotiations with the employer Prepare a briefing for line manager members highlighting this guidance with a view to their

empowerment Include this aspect in all by future training information or correspondence issued by the GEC

Attendance Management Working Group (such as identifying Branches with particular issues)

Obtain expert advice regarding what evidence we need of contravention of the guidance in order to give us the best chance of success in tribunal. Where possible this should be by reference to actual cases

These instructions are to be regarded as implementable with immediate effect.

G7. Security Guards (mover: Taylor Riach)

That this conference notes with concern the decision by HMRC to propose an outsourced option for the security guarding & associated activities at its future locations. The intervention from the GEC to secure a period of meaningful consultation on the future of the guarding service is welcomed & the outcome which commits to considering the feasibility of an in-house bid is noted.

The decision taken by HMRC Estates to move for an outsourced security service is mistaken & does not have the support of PCS members. This situation provides an opportunity to press for a wholly in-house security guard service provision as an alternative.

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The GEC is therefore instructed to fully resource the campaign to oppose privatisation & demand a security guards service that is delivered, managed & controlled in-house.

G8. SOC Membership (mover: Bobby Young)

This Conference agrees the following Rule Amendment which has the effect of reducing the SOC from five to three people.

Replace existing rule 7.20 with the following:-

7.20 There shall be a group standing orders committee (SOC) consisting of three members. Each member will serve for three years. Each year the Chairperson shall be elected by the SOC. Where the chairperson is absent, the SOC shall elect a temporary substitute. The quorum shall be two out of three of the elected members together with a deputed member of the Secretariat.

Replace existing Appendix C: Transitional Arrangements with the following:-

Appendix C: Transitional arrangements

In 2019, elections will be held for all three places on the group standing orders committee (SOC) and candidates will be advised that the highest polling candidate will serve for three years (retiring in 2022), the second highest polling candidate will serve for two years (retiring in 2021), the third highest polling candidate for one year (retiring in 2020). In 2020 a new SOC member will be elected for three years and the cycle of yearly elections for one SOC member to serve for three years will be repeated annually thereafter.

G9. Tax Policy (mover: George McIlvinney)

That this conference notes that the Paradise Papers again demonstrate that the PCS / Tax Justice Campaign estimates of the tax gap are far more likely to be accurate than the government / HMRC figures.

Conference notes that PCS, and in particular the R&C group, was the driving force behind the setting up of the Tax Justice Campaign, and that the facts and arguments from this campaign are now commonly accepted and have reached millions of people in the UK and even more abroad.

Conference instructs the GEC to continue pressing our Tax Justice demands, in doing so reminding members of the role that PCS has played and continues to play. Conference further instructs the GEC to pursue the following bargaining objectives...

Further input into tax policy, including Parliamentary submissions when requested, and directly to the opposition parties when requested, through the PCS Parliamentary Group

Continued campaigning on the need for adequate compliance staffing to tackle evasion and avoidance

A locations programme that would enable non-compliance to be tackled wherever it arose

G10. ISS Campaign (mover: Taylor Riach)

This conference notes that following the significant victory achieved in getting cleaners’ hours restored on Merseyside in 2016, PCS won back pay and compensation for the lost hours.

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Conference notes that further talks with the company have taken place, trying to secure

Payment of the real Living Wage as set by the Living Wage Foundation Adequate staffing levels so that HMRC offices are cleaned to a good standard without undue

pressure on cleaning staff Better terms and conditions such as sick pay, holidays and special leave similar to those of

HMRC staff.

Conference understands that winning on those issues will require local activists to recruit large numbers of ISS staff into the Union.

Conference recognises that outsourcing leads to low wages and poor service, and rejects the attempt by HMRC senior managers to wash their hands of the way cleaners and other staff who provide services to HMRC are treated.

Conference instructs the GEC to:

Campaign for cleaning services to be brought back in house with acceptable wages, staffing levels, terms and conditions

Campaign for HMRC to become a Living Wage Employer, ensuring that all directly and indirectly employed staff working on its premises receive at least the wage set by the Living Wage Foundation

Encourage and support branches in recruiting cleaners who work in HMRC offices into PCS Pursue a permanent settlement with the private sector companies ISS, Salisbury, Mapeley

and with HMRC on pay, staffing and terms and conditions, with further strike action and public campaigning if that is necessary.

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