HP workers strike again over pay

striking workers

HP employees working on government projects are set for two more strikes, starting at the end of the month.

HP members of the Public and Commercial Services union have already walked out for three days, and will strike for 48 hours over 29 and 30 March and 6 and 7 April.

The striking staff are based in Lytham St. Annes, Newcastle, Norcross, Preston and Washington and work on IT projects for the Department for Work and Pensions and Ministry of Defence.

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said in a statement: "Staff have worked hard to help the company deliver billions of pounds in revenues and feel betrayed by HP's refusal to address concerns on jobs and pay."

He added: "The company needs to start valuing its own workforce and negotiate a settlement that addresses the concerns of the workforce."

The union says striking staff are angry about job and pay cuts at HP after it bought EDS in 2008. PCS claimed the previous strike days and a work to rule campaign has "disrupted updates to IT systems" at DWP.

HP had not responded to our request for comment at the time of publication.