Capita O2 Partnership – Annual Pay Review 2019 Update
To: Branches with Members working on the Capita O2 Partnership
Issue No. 015/2019
12 April 2019
Dear Colleague
Capita O2 Partnership – Annual Pay Review 2019 Update
There have been a number of meetings and exchanges of correspondence with management regarding the Annual Pay Review for members working in the Capita O2 Partnership (CO2P).
This year the negotiations have followed two tracks, Capita Contracts and Ex-Tef TUPE Contracts.
Firstly, a detailed presentation was given to management back in December that highlighted the fact that the lowest rates of pay within CO2P required an uplift to meet the statutory requirements of the National Living Wage set by the government. The presentation highlighted pay comparisons across the call centre industry and that Capita were falling behind industry rates that would contribute towards retention and recruitment challenges.
Capita as a contact centre business recognised the problems highlighted and responded by significantly raising rates of pay for those on Capita Contracts. CO2P also recognised the pay disparity between colleagues doing the same work and were clear that they were looking to reduce that pay gap. The increase in rates meant that those Capita Contract members enjoyed significant percentage increases but it became very clear in discussion that the same level could not be repeated for the TUPE population. Capita Contract pay was therefore completed.
The second track specifically involves those members on a TUPE Contract and these discussions have proved far more difficult. We have argued the significant contribution delivered by the experienced Ex-Tef staff throughout the upheaval of bonus reduction. We argued that inflationary pressures are the same for everyone and that bonus changes impacted this group of staff more than most.
CO2P argued that they recognise the contribution made by colleagues as the business took decisions on transformation and moved from an initial offer of 1.5% to an offer of 2%. The CWU team did not think this sufficient and have argued via meetings and through correspondence that more could be done, even seeking a cash top-up unfortunately these additional claims have been rejected. Capita argue that they are only 12 months into a 3 year transformation and have tight budgetary restrictions handed down from both Divisional and Group level.
Against a business backdrop of significant investment and falling inflation, CO2P have reiterated that their final offer is a 2% increase in pay for the Ex-Tef TUPE staff.
Negotiations have therefore concluded.
The pay discussions have a contractual review date of 01 January 2019 and payment of any agreement reached would be back dated.
Arrangements to ballot members with an Ex-Tef TUPE contract are being drawn up and they will be published once finalised.
Any queries can be addressed to your local representative or to this office on ldefontaine@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Brendan O’Brien
Assistant Secretary (T&FS)