Deal made with Fujitsu workers

Published 10 Mar 2010 07:00 0 Comments

AN AGREEMENT has been reached between Unite union members and bosses at Fujitsu.

Union members had carried out strikes and other industrial action in a four-month dispute over pay, job losses and pensions with Fujitsu, which has offices in Lovelace Road in the Southern Industrial Area, Bracknell.

However, the union and the company have now reached a deal with help from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

Peter Skyte, Unite national officer for the IT sector, said: "While the Acas brokered proposals do not fully satisfy our members' aspirations, there have been significant changes in the company's position on jobs, pay and pensions over the course of the dispute.

"Unite will continue to work with Fujitsu to avoid compulsory redundancies and press the company for a fairer and more open and transparent pay system that more adequately recognises and rewards the Fujitsu workforce for its contribution to the company's success and for improved pension provision."

The union's vote had a turnout of 72% and the resolution was agreed by four to one.

Workers had been protesting against a pay freeze last year and proposals for up to 1,200 UK redundancies and reductions to pensions. The union reports that the number of possible compulsory redundancies has been reduced to fewer than 30 with an extension of employment until at least March 26.

It also said that further consultation had been agreed on the pensions and that a 5% pay rise has been offered in compensation for changes to the defined contribution scheme.

In addition, it has negotiated an extra year's continuation of the final salary pension scheme until at least March 2011 and a commitment that the defined contribution pension scheme will be contractual for both current and new members.

It has also arranged talks to discuss more open pay and benefit scales and introducing new regularly reviewed minimum salaries.

Fujitsu spokesman, Graham Goulden, said: "We are very pleased that the Unite members in Fujitsu have voted to accept the proposals tabled through ACAS by a majority of 81%. This means that all industrial action is now called off which is good news for all concerned."

Workers interested in joining Unite can come to its next meeting with raffle and free refreshments at 7.30pm on Monday, May 10 at Priestwood Community Centre in Priestwood Court Road.

Contact secretary Ed Glasson on 01344 452691.

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This article appeared in Villager 10 Mar 10

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