WIREDGOV

Over 1,000 PCS members working on government IT contracts for EDS/Hewlett Packard (HP) began a strike ballot today in a dispute over job losses and pay.

There has been growing anger amongst staff since HP took over EDS in August 2008 with 3,400 staff already axed in addition to a pay freeze and voluntary pay cuts. Hardworking staff, who are shouldering greater workloads and contributing significantly to HP’s revenue and profits, now face a further insecurity with further 1,000 job losses planned for the first half of next year.

The ballot which runs until 30 November is asking members to vote on action short of strike and strike action which could take the form of a series of one or two day strikes.

Those being balloted work mainly on IT contracts for the Department for Work and Pensions in locations around the UK including: Newcastle, Washington, Preston and the Fylde Coast.

Staff have been contributing significantly to HP’s revenue, whilst shouldering greater workloads and helping to generate good profit levels 

Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "There has been growing anger amongst staff who are facing yet more uncertainty about their future. Staff have been contributing significantly to HP’s revenue, whilst shouldering greater workloads and helping to generate good profit levels.

"Yet their reward is more job cuts, imposed pay freezes and pleas from the company to take a voluntary pay cut. We will be urging members to deliver a strong yes vote and tell management that enough is enough."