CWU calls off strike ballot over O2 job transfers

THE Communication Workers Union (CWU) has withdrawn its strike ballot over redundancies at O2 call centres across the North.

Last week the union claimed O2 was looking for a further 400 voluntary redundancies on top of an existing target of 600.

The changes were introduced as part of an outsourcing agreement announced last month that will see 3,800 staff transfer to Capita, with 1,600 of them based in the North West.

It will affect around half the 1,400 people working at a call centre in Bury and 828 of the 1,500 who work in Runcorn. The CWU said it had reached an agreement after intensive talks with both companies.

National official Sally Bridge said: “The union’s aim has always been to avoid a dispute and reach an agreement. However, given the extremely short notice and the lack of assurances we were left with no alternative but to ballot members for industrial action.

“Since the ballot opened, Telefonica and Capita have intensified discussions with us in an attempt to reach an agreement and to avoid industrial action. Today we have concluded negotiations on a package which includes job security; pay protection; protection on terms and conditions of employment; redeployment and union recognition.

“We believe we have made considerable progress in seeking assurances and employment protections. Given the position, that an agreement has been reached with the company, it is not normal practice for an industrial action ballot to continue in these circumstances.”

A spokesperson for O2 said: “We are pleased to have reached a positive conclusion to the discussions we’ve held with the CWU over the past few weeks. We have been committed from the outset to deliver the best possible outcome for our people and customers. The CWU has now been reassured and, having reached a mutual and shared understanding, O2 is now focused on ensuring that the transition to Capita is a positive one.”