Industrial action ballot a possibility if Capita TVL “refuses to budge” over poor pay offer
September 7 2026The Communication Workers Union (CWU) have invited Capita to enter urgent negotiations after nearly 100% of TV Licensing (TVL) workers have rejected a poor pay offer.
CWU Assistant Secretary Andy Furey has wrote to Capita senior management inviting them to engage in urgent negotiations to reconsider their current pay offer, after it has been unanimously rejected by union members.
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.
Field members, who regularly run the risk of receiving abuse and even physical harm while on the job, rejected a 3.5% pay offer.
Meanwhile, workers in Bristol and Darwen – the lowest paid workers on the TVL contract already – 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.
All in all, 97% of workers voted to reject the deal on a turnout of 69%.
The union has also arranged a meeting with senior TVL reps to discuss the next steps.
CWU Assistant Secretary Andy Furey said: “If Capita doesn’t listen to the strong voice of our members and improve the pay offer, we will need to prepare for the possibility of holding a further ballot – this time for industrial action.
“Strike action would obviously be a last resort – and would only be called if Capita refuses to move from its current position.”