Industrial Action Ballot ITS (for those not able to view prev post)

It became clear this morning that some people where not able to see the embedded pdf file, in the industrial action ballot post below,  if they accessed the website via their workplace PC. The text of the industrial action ballot is viewable below.

 

BALLOT FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Following many months of talks with Capita, your Unite Reps remain opposed to Capita ITS’ plans to offshore work to India and cut UK jobs under the same initiative. Unite have clearly stated our opposition to their plans, which will serve to under- mine rather than build Capita ITS’ reputation and profitability in the longer term.

Those working in the IT industry are well aware of the recent debacle in RBS and the reasons things went badly wrong. Unite believe that ITS management are following the same path and are turning up the “risk dials”. Capita are also aware of the overwhelming result of the recent industrial action consultative ballot and the strength of feeling that the workforce have around this issue. Despite this, Capita have ignored Unite’s opposition and are continuing with their plans to offshore work and grow the India operation as well as cut additional jobs in the UK,  resulting in compulsory redundancies. Although the number of jobs in scope for off shoring and redundancy in 2012 are not as grave as Capita’s original intention (and some of the clients appear to share some of the same misgivings as Unite), ongoing feedback from members indicates that they still have deep concerns about their future job security and are looking to take action to challenge off shoring and redundancies.

Unite Reps believe that the time has come for members to take the next step to industrial action and have served 7 days notice on Capita detailing our intention to formally ballot members.

VOTE YES TO BOTH QUESTIONS

Members are being asked to vote ‘Yes’ to both forms of industrial action.

The first question on the ballot paper is a vote on a strike/ series of one day strikes. There are legal reasons why we are asking the question in this way as it will give members greater flexibility in the form of action to be taken. Unite’s position is that if members vote ‘Yes’ to this question, we would call a one day strike to coincide with the start of action short of a strike. Your Unite Reps are committed to a position that if they or members believe any further strike days are required, the decision will need to be endorsed by members’ meetings at each site. If Unite simply balloted on one day’s action we would have to go through the whole legal process again to call further action if members then felt this was required. Unite is committed to paying strike pay to members who take part in any official one day strikes.

The second question is a vote for action short of strike. This will involve an ongoing refusal to undertake any work associated with- the off shoring of work to India, a ban on working overtime and the withdrawal of on call cover.

Unite are urging members to vote ‘YES’ to both forms of industrial action in order to allow your Reps to maximise the effectiveness of the action to be taken.

The ballot paper will be sent out to members at their home addresses from 23 July with the ballot closing on 13 August. Any member who has not received a ballot paper by 30 July shouldcontact their Unite Workplace Rep. Members are encouraged to show the same level of response to that shown for the consultative ballot; it’s in everyone’s interests to have a strong response on this issue. Members will be informed of the Ballot Result as soon as it is known on 13 August and your Unite Reps will then meet to consider the result and agree next steps.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ON SITE UNITE REPS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.