Union fears further Scottish IT job cuts

Compaq's decision to increase its planned layoffs from 7000 to 8500 may have a knock-on effect on Scottish firms, resulting in further redundancies in the area, according to the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G).

Earlier this year, Compaq announced that jobs would go at its Erskine and Ayr sites, which the union said has placed the jobs of contract workers at risk.

Jimmy Farrelly, T&G Scotland's Senior Industrial Organiser, said: "We have already seen cuts of around 1000 jobs by Compaq in Scotland over the last few months, and they are now having a related effect on the job security of workers in firms performing contract work for the company.

"For example, a significant number of jobs are at risk at the McFarlane Group, which performs packaging work for Compaq's Scottish units."

He added: "While it is unclear as to where the job cuts are likely to impact, the indications that they are related to problems in the electronics industry in Europe raises fears over the implications for workers in Scotland."

Farrelly called on Compaq to meet with the union to discuss the latest cuts and their implications.

UK unions are frustrated that they do not have to be consulted before cuts are made, as workers' representatives in countries such as Germany must be.