TV License workers join November 30 strike tomorrow
29th November 2011
For immediate release
TV License workers join November 30 strike
tomorrow
Hundreds of workers at TV Licensing employed by Capita will join
millions of public sector workers going on strike tomorrow,
November 30, in Bristol, Darwen and across the UK.
This will be the fourth day of strike action that TV Licensing
members of the Communication Workers Union will have taken in a
long-running dispute over pay. The majority of them had never been
involved in any industrial action before Capita refused to increase
a pay offer worth around 2.6%. Capita makes more than £1
million profit every day and last year gave the CEO and other
senior executives a 17% pay rise.
Andy Furey, CWU assistant secretary
representing Capita members, said: "Four days of strike action
is unprecedented for our members in Capita, showing just how
strongly these low-paid workers feel about the way they're
being treated by their employer. Our members are fighting for a
fair pay rise from a company which makes £1 million profit
every day.
"Taking strike action on the same day as millions of public
sector workers will be a big boost to morale and be a major
contrast to their normal picket lines made up of dozens of workers.
Tomorrow there will be thousands of people striking and
demonstrating.
"Both disputes are about fairness - fair pay for Capita
workers and fair pensions for public sector workers. We both face
powerful employers who say they can't afford more. The truth is
that these employers will use excuses to squeeze staff costs for
fat cat strategies.
"With Christmas fast approaching, we're appalled at
Capita's refusal to engage in talks to resolve this dispute.
We're not going away and we'll persevere to get a fair pay
rise for our members in Capita."
Picket lines Wednesday 30th November:
Bristol: 7:30 - 10:30am 100 Temple Street, Bristol, BS98 1TL
Strikers will join the public sector march from College Green to Castle Park in Bristol. CWU Bristol branch secretary Dave Wilshire will speak at the rally.
Darwen: 7:30 - 10:30am India Mill, Bolton Road, Darwen, BB3 1YX
Brian Taylor CWU rep at Capita is speaking at the Blackburn
public services strike rally outside Blackburn Town Hall, 12:30pm.
Staff in Bristol and Darwen, and a small number in Glasgow, work
in call centre and support roles and will be on strike on Wednesday
30th November. Enforcement officers who work in the
field are on strike from 4 - 9pm on 30th November.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
- Capita staff working on the BBC TV Licensing contract haven't had a pay rise for almost two years. They rejected the original offer from Capita by 88 per cent in a consultative ballot.This was imposed in October.
- Staff have already staged three walkouts - on 17th and 31st October and 18th November.
- CWU balloted 586 Capita workers. 301 members voted in favour of
strike action, with 89 members voting against,giving a77.2 per cent
yes vote on a 66.6 per cent turnout.
For more information please contact:
Sian Jones, Press Officer, tel: 020 8971 7267, mobile: 0779 3314249 e-mail: sbjones@cwu.org
