Capita workers set for industrial action over pay deal

MORE than 900 staff at outsource services provider Capita begin indefinite industrial action today (Friday) in a dispute over a pay deal.

Capita workers based in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Manchester, Reading and Stirling have voted by 90% for industrial action short of a strike, with 75% in favour of strike action following rejection of the latest below inflation pay offer.

Trade union Unite said the overwhelming mandate meant that the dispute would escalate towards full strike action unless the company agreed to return to the negotiating table.

The staff all work within the life and pensions departments of some of Capita’s major clients, including Prudential, Royal London, Guardian, Abbey Life, Met Life and Aviva.
 
The union has warned strike action will severely disrupt operations at the various firms.

The union said the dispute followed a ‘derisory’ pay offer which would have effectively resulted in a real terms pay cut for 75% of staff.

Capita had proposed a 1.5% ‘pay pot’ which would have been distributed to staff through a performance-related grading system, which the union claimed only served to divorce pay increases from the cost of living.
 
In 2013, Capita members took successful strike action over pay following a 65% rejection of the proposed deal.
 
Dominic Hook, Unite national officer for finance, said: “This overwhelming mandate for industrial action sends a clear message that Capita simply cannot ignore. Our members will not accept a poverty pay deal that results in a real terms pay cut for 75% of staff.
 
“Unite has served notice of an indefinite overtime ban and this will be escalated towards strike action, if Capita does not prove itself willing to return to the negotiating table with a fair pay offer that reflects the hard work of our members.”