Tax workers strike in protest at de-skilling working methods

Workers at the Lothians tax centre in Scotland took part in a one-day strike last month over new working practices.

The 950 workers at the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) processing centre were protesting against the deskilling of their jobs following the introduction of the so-called LEAN work organisation system.

Their union, the PCS public services union, says LEAN has created an oppressive and stressful environment with workers at risk of repetitive strain injury.

According to the union LEAN is a process of work organisation originally tried out in motor manufacturing in the 1980s. It believes that it has been introduced by HMRC in order to boost productivity and cut jobs.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “It is ironic that in an age where the government is placing a huge emphasis on creating a skilled workforce across the economy, that we have one of the biggest government departments introducing working practices designed by consultants, that reduce the workforce to robots.”

The union wants a joint evaluation of LEAN and appropriate safeguards for its members.