HP UK bracing itself for strike action
HP faces first-ever UK strike on Monday
04 Dec 2009, Dave Bailey, Computing
http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/1832209/hp-uk-strike-monday
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.
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HP faces first-ever UK strike on Monday
I applaud the UK workers. It's about time a group of people had the balls to stand up to HP, whose CEO made $10m in fiscal yr 2008 on the backs of employee layoffs and other various cuts.
Posted by: ThunderHawk 08 Dec 2009
Hurd is useless
Thunderhawk. It wasnt 10 million, it was 42 million the CEO made in 2008.
This useless CEO needs to go. It's all about short term gain for the bonus, not the business's they support or its employees. We have people here in OZ quitting too, but i wish they would stay and join the union, and give HP what they deserve for the good of the people, customers and employees a like.
Posted by: Another Pissed Off Employee 09 Dec 2009
good job guys
These guys seriously got the balls!
Posted by: sand 10 Dec 2009
HP - No longer an employee friendly company
Mark Hurd has really spoiled HP's reputation by his greed. Given a chance he would opt for revoking even the salaries and fill his pockets. There is no benefits for employees in HP.
Posted by: killbill 14 Dec 2009