Members of Unite, employed by IT services company Steria UK Ltd working on a Capita account, will take industrial action today in protest against the company's refusal to offer a pay rise for 2010 (payable from April 2011).

Unite members, who are system developers and analysts, voted an overwhelming 82 per cent in favour of strike action. Industrial action will take place at various Steria sites in Bristol, Coventry and High Wycombe (see notes) and staff will take part in the 24 hour strike from midnight tonight.

Unite regional officer, Jerry Pickford, said: “This is the first time that this group of workers have ever taken these steps as they feel that they have no option other than to withdraw their labour in protest at the refusal of Steria to make any kind off pay offer whatsoever."

"Steria has carried out a comprehensive pay review awarding pay rises to our lower paid employees this year. We cannot add any further costs to our pay bill," reads Steria's statement.

"At this time of increasing economic uncertainty our priority is to protect the job security of our employees. Steria does not believe encouraging individuals to take strike action, where they will lose pay, is in anybody's interest."