Capita TVL members vote for strike action

October 21 2026

Capita bosses have been warned to “listen to employees and act accordingly”, as nine out of ten TV Licensing (TVL) workers have voted for strike action.

Communication Workers Union (CWU) Assistant Secretary Andy Furey has urged the outsourcing giant to engage with the union through the Acas arbitration body, after workers voted by 91.5% to take strike action against what they saw as a derisory pay offer.

The vote, which was on a turnout of 71.5%, followed September’s unanimous rejection by members of the same pay offer.

Field members, who regularly risk verbal abuse and even physical harm while on the job, rejected a 3.5% pay offer.

Meanwhile, workers in Bristol and Darwen – the lowest paid on the TVL contract – turned down a mere 44p real-terms pay rise to bring their salaries up to £13.16 an hour.

Their offer was still beneath the real living wage of £13.45 an hour, while Field members reported struggling with the rising cost of doing the travelling which is necessary to the job.

The union represents workers on the lucrative contract, which was awarded to Capita in July 2022 for £456 million and has recently been extended to 2030.

Additionally, the union will be reaching out to senior union reps to discuss the next steps.

Andy said: “It is appalling that Capita is unwilling to hear out workers’ concerns over their standards of living, particularly when a cost-of-living crisis and rising fuel prices is squeezing their employees like never before.

“This vote is an overwhelming rejection of their offer.

“Now, it’s time for Capita to listen to its employees and act accordingly by reaching a fair settlement to this dispute.”