Staff at Capita in Manchester to go on strike in pay dispute

Workers at outsourcer Capita in Manchester were set to go on strike today, with picket lines due to be manned in the city centre. The union Unite said staff were taking strike action in a dispute over their employer's 'refusal to negotiate' a pay award for 2024.

Industrial action is said to be planned until February 5. Staff at Capita, said the union, were due a 2024 pay award last April. It said Capita postponed annual pay talks with Unite with the assurance that workers would be given a pay rise in October.

In a statement, United said: "This has not materialised, despite this part of the business reporting profits and a healthy balance sheet. In December 2024, workers voted overwhelmingly to take strike action across the two Capita sites. This industrial action will start today following the decision of their employer to deny them a pay increase."

The dispute, said United, involves around 1,000 employees. Picket lines are expected to be manned at Broadhurst House on Oxford Street in Manchester and in Glasgow, Scotland.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is a company that can fully afford to give its workers a decent pay rise but has cynically failed to do so to boost its profits. Capita should be under no illusions about the strength of feeling of Unite members in its workplaces over pay. Our members at Capita will receive the union’s unwavering support."

The union said Capita staff in Manchester and Glasgow work on the Royal London account, which will face disruption and delays as a result of the action. Capita provides technology and outsourcing services to the financial services company.

Unite national officer, Dominic Hook said: "Capita has had months to sit down with Unite to negotiate with the