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Press Release

TV Licensing faces strike blackout

23 September 2011

A nationwide strike of television licensing workers moved a step nearer today (Friday) after CWU members voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay.

The ballot closed today and TV Licensing (TVL) staff have voted by 77.2 per cent to 22.8 per cent in favour of strike action unless the company is prepared to increase its pay offer. A pay award - dubbed “a pay cut” by frustrated workers - was rejected last month and, despite union calls for new talks, Capita TVL bosses have refused to budge.

CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey, representing the TVL staff, said: “The enormous majority for strike action is hardly surprising when you consider the company's offer is little more than half the rate of inflation.

“We've been inundated by complaints from our hard-working members who are describing this 'offer' as a pay cut in real terms. These staff didn't have a pay rise last year and are seeing their pay fall behind the rising cost of food, fuel and housing.

“Nobody wants to see strikes, and we want to work with the company here, but unless management attitudes improve, strikes are inevitable.”

Workers across the UK, working on the BBC TV licensing contract, including two main sites at Darwen (Lancashire) and Bristol, are planning strike action which will see TV licensing brought to a nationwide halt. Strikes could take place in early October but CWU is asking TVL to return to the negotiations and improve the pay offer to avoid disruption.

Staff have become increasingly frustrated after the company refused to raise pay last year. The current offer of £550 and £600 for 2010 and 2011 respectively - worth 2.6 to 2.7 per cent for higher grades - falls far short of retail price index levels, which have averaged 5 per cent since April 2010.

Notes:

· Ballot information: 586 ballot papers were issued, 301 members voted in favour of strike action, with 89 members voting against, giving a 77.2 per cent yes vote on a 66.6 per cent turnout.

· Members rejected the pay offer by 88 per cent in a consultative ballot in August. In the absence of an improved offer the CWU moved to a strike ballot.



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Communication Workers Union

Communication Workers Union

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