Capita TVL BBC contract members to vote on strikes

Industrial action ballot process begins, after employer refuses to offer pay rise…

“We’ve now entered a formal Trade Dispute in accordance with the law, as a consequence of Capita imposing a pay freeze on our members working on the TVL / BBC Contract,” CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey told CWU News this morning.

Nearly 500 CWU members are set to take part in the ballot, which asks two questions, on strike action and action short of a strike (ASOS). Ballot papers are being sent out next Friday and the result will be declared on Tuesday 3rd December.

An in-principle decision to move towards a ballot had been taken earlier this month, but the timetable was paused in the hope that the company would set out a pay offer. “We wanted to give the employer an opportunity to avoid a dispute and negotiate a fair pay deal with us,” said Andy.

“But sadly, they’ve continued with the same stubborn approach that they’ve adopted for the past seven months, insisting on what is a pay freeze on our hard-working members – as well as a reneging, by them, on a commitment to pay the Real Living Wage.

“We’ve got no alternative, therefore, other than to formally Serve Notice, in accordance with the law, of our intention to start the industrial action ballot process. We’re sending out the ballot papers next Friday and the Postal Executive is recommending a YES YES vote,” said Andy.

“We’re asking our members to vote YES to strike action and YES to ASOS.”

The union, whilst taking these steps, has told Capita that it remains available for meaningful negotiations with the aim of reaching a fair and reasonable agreement.