Capita staff working on the TV Licensing contract have strongly supported today's second day of strike action in Bristol and Darwen in their fight to win a fair pay rise.
Local radio, TV and newspaper journalists turned up to interview striking workers in Darwen to find out why people in their local community are on strike. Strike action is an unusual sight here and for the majority of workers it's the first dispute they've ever been involved in.
"It's the unfairness of it which has really got to people" explains Bristol branch secretary Dave Wilshire. "This is a company which makes a million pounds profit every day, its directors are on gold-plated salaries yet people in Darwen are working for just above minimum wage. There's a fear that if Capita wins this dispute they'll come for more terms and conditions so workers here are in for the long haul."
0In Bristol, members on the picket line were joined by a furry mascot wearing a jacket emblazoned with the slogan 'It's a dog's life working for Capita! £1 million profit per day yet you pay minimum wage!' The large picket line outside the office block in central Bristol was a real spectacle again today with dozens turning out for the visible protest and hundreds staying away from work.
CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey who has been leading negotiations with Capita said: "These strikes have been solidly supported and show just how strongly workers at Capita TV Licensing feel about they way the company is treating them. Capita ignored the consultative ballot when its staff rejected the pay offer by a whopping 88 per cent, they ignored the democratic decision of its staff when they returned a huge yes vote for strike action, and so far they have been unmoved by the two days of strike action taken. We won't be deterred though, we're in for the long-haul and determined to get a satisfactory outcome for our members."
Do you work for Capita? Join CWU today by e-mailing joinunion@cwu.org or freephone 0800 731 7434.