Scores of Fujitsu workers strike in Manchester and Crewe

Fujitsu workers in Manchester and Crewe affiliated to the Unite union have gone on strike over a series of long-running disputes relating to contracts and alleged victimisation of union representatives.

The action in Manchester relates to accusations that Fujitsu reneged on promises over pay and pensions and has refused to negotiate these changes with staff.

V3 spoke with Fujitsu worker Ian Allinson on the picket line in Manchester who said that the striking workers are in "an excellent mood", and called on Fujitsu to resolve the matter.

"Fujitsu haven't been straight with us. They have broken a number of promises, and people just want to be treated fairly. It would be very easy for them to sort this out if they did what they promised to begin with," he said.

Allinson added that further strike action could be called if Fujitsu continues to hold its ground.

Meanwhile, staff in Crewe are striking in support of long-standing union representative Alan Jenney, who they believe was unfairly treated after he was made redundant without being allowed to work his notice period.

Jenney told V3 that Fujitsu broke pre-existing agreements in order to make him redundant, and that he wants the strike action to draw attention to his plight.

"We hope that the strikes today will help bring the actions of Fujitsu and the poor industrial relations they have with their workers to a wider audience, including their customers, to help raise awareness of the issue," he said.

Staff at the Crewe site have already staged a one-day strike over Jenney's dismissal, and Fujitsu expressed its frustration with another round of action.

"We are disappointed that the action by Unite is still going ahead. However, we are continuing our discussions and hope the dispute will be resolved," the firm said in a statement.

"Fujitsu is confident that the service we deliver to customers will be unaffected by any industrial action, and we have robust contingency plans in place to ensure this."

Fujitsu contacted V3 to say that, although almost 400 workers had called for industrial action, only around 50 had confirmed that they will not be working owing to the strike.

The company managed to avert a strike planned for the same day by staff with the Public and Commercial Services Union, after raising its pay offer by up to 11 per cent. Staff had initially rejected rises of between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent.

The rise means that some 720 staff working on contracts for the DVLA, HM Revenue & Customs, the Home Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Office of National Statistics will now be guaranteed a minimum of £15,500.