HP measuring up necks of global EDS staff?

Union appalled over lack of consultation

By Kelly Fiveash • Get more from this author

Posted in IT Channel, 15th September 2008 10:30 GMT

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Hewlett-Packard is readying the axe to make job cuts in the UK and worldwide following the tech giant’s takeover of services firm EDS last month, according to the UK’s largest union.

The company is set to make announcements later today about its restructuring plans for EDS staff. A “substantial” job cull in Blighty and across the globe is expected to kick off, said Unite, which represents HP and EDS staffers across Europe.

Union reps said on Friday they were “dissatisfied” by the lack of information from HP about the future of the EDS workforce it scooped up in May when the two firms agreed to the $13.9bn acquisition.

Unite is demanding “full and meaningful consultation at UK and European level prior to firm decisions being taken”.

Reps have also hit out at compulsory redundancies, saying they oppose any such move from HP. They have also urged the company to provide a detailed redeployment and re-skilling plan for existing EDS employees.

"We are not against change, but will closely monitor the impact of any proposals announced by HP next week, and take all possible steps to safeguard the interests of the workforce," said Unite national officer Peter Skyte on Friday. "We support this approach, and will oppose any attempt to return to the slash and burn approach favoured by IT companies in the past." ®

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