Over 1,000 Fujitsu IT workers set to strike

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More than 1,000 Fujitsu IT staff are to strike later this month as part of a joint action over two different disputes with the vendor.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union voted for strike action thanks to “a below inflation pay offer and the failure of Fujitsu to implement previous pay agreements.”

Fujitsu IT staff will be given pay rises of between 1.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent, which PCS described as “an insult to the lowest paid staff.”

Such a pitiful pay offer to workers, who are paid less than what some senior executives pocket in bonuses alone, is an insult.

Members of the Unite union also voted for a strike thanks to “a breakdown in industrial relations, breaches of agreements and victimisation of reps.”

Unite said Fujitsu was breaking agreements in a number of areas, including benefits, pay, pensions and redundancy.

The PCS and Unite disputes are separate, but the two have joined forces to place extra pressure on Fujitsu.

The strike will commence for 24 hours from midnight on Monday 19 September.

“Such a pitiful pay offer to workers, who are paid less than what some senior executives pocket in bonuses alone, is an insult,” said Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary.

“Our members may work for Fujitsu but they are supporting essential public services, so ministers must recognise they have a responsibility for what happens on behalf of their departments.”

Unite members in Crewe are also today considering whether or not to join the strike action.

“Unite will not accept any situation where an employer can arbitrarily break negotiated agreements,” said Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary.

“This dispute can only be resolved through negotiations and coming to an agreement with the workforce. We remain available to talk at any time and urge management to get around the table so we can have a negotiated settlement.”

Fujitsu said it was still in talks with the unions to avoid strike action.

“Fujitsu is disappointed that PCS and Unite has announced industrial action on 19 September,” a Fujitsu spokesperson said.

“We are continuing to work with both unions to resolve the disputes.”

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