Bristol Anti-Capitalists support Anti-Capita picket line

By PRSD, on Monday, November 21, 2011

Capita's profits rise as it blames the current economic climate on keeping workers' pay low

With Capita raking in £1m a day, says the Communication Workers Union, it’s a bit galling that the CWU members working for Capita TVL (Tupe’d from Royal Mail in 2002) have been offered a below inflation pay increase. An issue which has struck a chord with Bristol Anti-Capitalists.

Since Capita took over the Royal Mail contract in 2002 their profits have risen by double figure percentages each year, and the CWU has successfully negotiated pay rises of RPI or above from 202 to 2009.

But their stance in 2010/11 has been opportunistic, says the union, citing the world-wide recession (despite the £364.2m profit and £121.2m dividend to shareholders).

The Anti-Capitalist protestors from the Occupy Bristol camp at College Green, Bristol, camped overnight on the Anti-Capital picket line of 500 CWU members on strike at the Temple Meads/Victorial Street Roundabout.

CWU Bristol Branch Secretary Dave Wilshire said: “Occupy Bristol and our Bristol Capita members are fighting the same battle.

“Capita is a money-rich employer that is forcing many of its workers to survive on a minimum wage when they are making profits of a million pounds a day. We salute their idealism and determination.”