WIREDGOV

850 PCS members working for Fujitsu have begun a ballot on industrial action in support of the union’s campaign to save jobs, pay and pensions in the company. The decision to ballot follows Fujitsu’s announcement that they are cutting 1,200 in the UK.

PCS members provide IT support to essential government services including taxes, defence and driving licences. Ordinary hardworking employees are paying the price for the economic downturn and for cuts demanded by the government from private sector contractors including Fujitsu.

In defence of workers jobs PCS and Unite are holding concurrent ballots for industrial action, bringing together workers from across the UK. The PCS ballot closes on 29 October with the result announced shortly after.

Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary, said: "This year workers in Fujitsu have suffered a pay freeze, the threat to close their final salary pension scheme and now their jobs are in danger.

"Our members say enough is enough and are backing our campaign for quality jobs, quality working conditions and quality public services. They are not prepared to stand by whilst essential services are starved of proper funding."