UK HP workers call for one-day strike

Job losses and pay freeze force action

Over 1,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union are set to down tools tomorrow after a dispute about pay and job losses at Hewlett Packard's four UK sites broke down.

Since the company took over IT services company EDS for £7.13 billion in 2008 over 3,400 staff have been handed their marching orders. Compounding the anger, the company has also frozen workers' pay for two years running, despite delivering fourth quarter revenue over more than $30 billion.

Union chief Mark Serwotka said, "It is disgraceful that staff should be treated in such a way as they shoulder greater workloads to help generate good profit levels. The company need to start valuing staff and recognise the crucial part they play in its success by giving guarantees on job security and a fair pay rise."

The one-day stoppage affects HP employees who are working mainly on IT contracts for the Department for Work and Pensions as well as the Ministry of Defence, and car maker General Motors.