BRITISH-BASED employees of Japanese electronics firm Fujitsu walked out on strike today.  The walk out represents the UK’s first ever national IT sector strike.

Pickets braved the snow, ice and artic conditions to air bring their justifiable grievances to the attention of the public and fellow IT workers.

It is the latest in series of one-day strikes in a row over pay, jobs and pensions.  Trouble has been brewing since late last year, when an overwhelming 75% of union members voted for industrial action.

Workers are protesting about recent job cuts, pay freezes and the closing of a final salary pension scheme.

Fujitsu has cut 1,000 jobs in the UK since August 2009.  It now employs around 11,500 people here.  It’s feared that the company wants to slash another 1,200 jobs.  A pay freeze was imposed last year and plans to close the final salary pension scheme may cut employees’ pay packages by about 20 per cent.

Workers have already held a one-day strike in December.  They will stage further strike action on Friday of this week, and on Monday, Thursday and Friday of next week.

Solidarity National Executive member Gary Aronsson said:

“Many workers fear that Fujitsu is using the recession as excuse to freeze pay and rip up agreed terms and conditions of work".  

"Fujitsu remains a highly profitable company.  In October last year it announced pre-tax profits of £200m for 2008.  I’ve heard that they are forecasted to make £110 million this year.  That’s not bad, considering the poor state of the economy".

"These IT workers are computer specialists.  They represent a highly skilled workforce.  They are the people who ensure Fujitsu enjoys such massive profits.  They should be treated with respect – not as mere cogs in a machine".

Solidarity Trade Union calls for Fujitsu Executives to abandon their macho-style of management.  They should sit down with the workers immediately and discuss their concerns.”