VM02 Capita workers condemn “heartless and destructive” offshoring redundancies
VMO2 September 2 2025The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has said that the strength of feeling among VM02 Capita workers is “unprecedented”, after the firm has announced “heartless and destructive” redundancies.
Workers in Payment Management on the Capita contract on VM02 were told of new redundancies on 18th August, with management’s justification being operational changes and consistent financial losses.
It is expected that the 150 jobs will be offshored to South Africa, which has already seen a steady stream of VM02 jobs over the years.
The union has attacked the timing of the redundancies as unacceptable, with the redundancies being announced just 12 days after a separate redundancy consultation, affecting more than 200 workers, was completed.
This means that the same workers who had been told they had retained their roles are immediately facing a fresh bout of uncertainty.
In a letter to Capita CEO Adolfo Hernandez, CWU National Officer Tracey Fussey said: “In the short time since receiving confirmation of their job security, many members and their families have made financial and personal commitments, commitments now thrown into jeopardy.”
Discussing the “appalling” approach that the company has taken with their members, Tracey said that the strategy from senior leadership is “both heartless and destructive”.
“It is inconceivable that while messages of job security were being communicated, plans were already underway to offshore these roles”, Tracey said.
She also said that the “duplicitous” conduct of management and its effect on workers’ mental health “cannot be overstated”, adding that “for years, the pursuit of an offshore model has inflicted repeated harm on loyal employees, stripping them of jobs built on decades of service.
“This latest announcement reinforces the view that these decisions lack care, respect and transparency. Indeed, many of our members see the business as outright deceitful and an employer that has zero concern for their well-being.”
The letter also outlined unfulfilled requests from the union for the company to show evidence for management’s justification for cuts – requests that have not been answered to properly – as well as a reminder of a 2013 partnership agreement between the union and management which committed bosses explicitly to improving employees’ working lives and shielding jobs.
The CWU is demanding an urgent meeting with Hernandez to discuss ongoing events, adding that “our members are at the heart of everything we do, and the strength of their reaction to these developments is unprecedented”.