Finance staff at Capita strike in pay row
23rd September 2009
Unite the union members at finance company Capita will strike
for two days (23rd and 24th September) in a dispute over a
'derisory pay offer'.
Staff in Capita, Glasgow are angry that despite continued
increases in profits the company is refusing to give staff a fair
pay rise. The two days of industrial action in Glasgow will have a
damaging impact on the contracts that the finance company runs out
of this Scottish office.
Unite members will be joined on their picket line by local MPs
and MSPs. Unite has written to Capita’s clients to make them aware
of the breakdown in negotiations between the union and Capita.
Rob MacGregor, Unite national officer said: “Capita staff are
being forced by their employer to accept an insulting pay offer
while their CEO, Paul Pindar, awards himself a package worth £9.8
million. This hypocrisy by Capita, at a time when the staff in
Glasgow are bringing the company good profits, is truly
shameful.
“Capita have repeatedly ignored the legitimate concerns over
pay. How can a company, which increased operating profit by 18 per
cent to £320 million last year and increased the dividend
payment to shareholders by 20 per cent, not be able to give its
staff a cost of living pay rise?
“Unite members believe that Capita is simply using the economic
downturn as an excuse to deny its staff the reward they have
earned. The pay offer of 1.5 per cent, when contrasted with
the huge bonuses being paid out in the Capita boardroom, is nothing
short of insulting. Staff will not accept this derisory
offer.
“The union is furious that despite the hard work and commitment
from Capita workers over many years, their employer is treating
them in this manner.”
Staff will strike for two days on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday
24th September 2009 at Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 6UR
A picket line will be outside the Capita office from: 8am –
5pm.
Ends
For more information contact: Saba Mozakka, Unite press office on:
020 7420 8916 or 07768 693 953.
