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Fujitsu Manchester staff to strike
Union dispute rumbles on...

By Tom Espiner

Published: Monday 22 January 2007

Staff at the Manchester offices of technology giant Fujitsu will go on a five-day strike in just over two weeks' time, as the ongoing dispute between the company and trade union Amicus shows little sign of resolution.

Amicus confirmed at the end of last week that the strike will go ahead, from 29 January to 2 February. An earlier strike took place on 11 and 12 January.

Amicus and Fujitsu are in dispute over a range of issues. The union claims workers were denied the benefits of union recognition and representation, and the right to a 90-day consultation before redundancy. They also say redundancy payment terms were cut.

The staff in question work on a number of outsourced accounts.

Ian Allinson, senior representative for Amicus at Fujitsu, said he had recently been threatened with disciplinary action. "We clearly think that's linked to my role in the dispute," he added.

Allinson said: "We think one of the reasons the union was attacked in Manchester is that the company generally doesn't recognise unions. It feels like they're trying to break the union here to nip it in the bud."

Sources within Fujitsu, though, have claimed Amicus has refused to negotiate over the outstanding issues.

It is understood Fujitsu has asked staff who are not engaged in the action to avoid taking leave during that week. The company is understood to be confident its customers won't be affected.

Companies that use the services of Fujitsu's Manchester branch include H&M and Marks & Spencer, plus various government departments including the Home Office.

Tom Espiner writes for ZDNet UK