HP faces first-ever UK strike on Monday

HP UK bracing itself for strike action

HP will see the first strike in the company's history next week, following an announcement by the Unite union that its members will down tools on Monday 7 December.

Union staff voted for industrial action last month in response to pay and pensions benefit cuts.

A second strike involving HP workers is planned for 10 December, this time by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union who are protesting at job losses and pay cuts.

The Unite stems from a "business transfer" that took place on 1 November, which saw Unite members moved to an HP subsidiary company, HP CDS.

A statement posted on Unite's web site said that the union believes HP is taking advantage of weaknesses in current employment legislation. It added: " [The company is looking] to remove pay and pension benefits, including a performance bonus scheme worth up to £2,000 as well as the final salary pension scheme."

Unite regional officer Andy McDowall said that members have had an " irreplaceable pension benefit removed by a cash-rich employer when they have had every opportunity to allow it to remain in place. To add insult to injury, they have also removed our members’ contractual bonus arrangements resulting in a further cut in wages."

In a statement, HP said that it respected the decision of the 98 employees that had voted in favour of local industrial action, and added that it would, " continue to maintain a dialogue with the union in an attempt to avoid any form of action".

Unite plans further industrial action next year, with two-day strikes planned for 11 and 12 January, and 1 and 2 February, and a five-day walkout planned for 22-26 February.

There is also a planned continuous overtime ban from 4 January 2010.