CWU members unanimously passed a slew of motions on working conditions at outsourcing giant Capita today.

At the union’s telecoms and financial services conference in Bournemouth, delegates passed seven motions covering bargaining rights, pension deficits and annual leave for Capita O2 members.

Lawrence McIntosh, from Preston Brook, Bury and Retail branch, introduced a motion “to ensure that all Capita contract members are included with any future pay negotiations” to prevent workers being “undermined” by the company.

Steve Faber-Hinton, from West Yorkshire, proposing a motion demanding Capita O2 members be included within the CWU’s existing bargaining unit, said: “Capita, one of the UK’s largest outsourcing companies, never fails to amaze me.

“Full of fat cats, shareholders and overzealous managers — there’s little wonder and no surprise why its staff are regarded, quite simply, as cattle.”

He mentioned an advert published last year for a 16-week-long “unpaid graduate training scheme,” adding: “The cynic in me might be forgiven for thinking Capita was only doing what it does best: ruthlessly saving money.”

Mr Faber-Hilton also proposed a motion on sick absence, accusing Capita of acting “in a demeaning and unhelpful manner” to workers with underlying health issues and calling for an end to the firm’s “repressive and autocratic way of dealing with employees who have long-term illness.”

Anne Nicholson, from Meridian branch, said: “It’s not fair that some of our members are not treated the same way.

“Capita need to get their heads sorted out and need to get themselves sorted out and stop worrying about money and start worrying about people.”

Mr McIntosh, demanding assurances from Capita that its new financial strategy would safeguard members’ pensions, said: “The fall of Carillion and the profit warnings at Capita did little to ease the concerns of our members.”

Executive member Cathy Rhodes pointed out that Capita had paid out “more than £1 billion in dividends to its shareholders between 2011 and 2016 whilst its pension deficit ballooned from £86 million in 2011 to £381m in 2016.”

Delegates also unanimously passed motions calling for increased annual leave, greater notice for a change in shift patterns and to allow CWU members access to new starters within the Arlington Business Centre in Leeds.