News

UNI-Europa and the EMF organized a gathering of HP and EDS European trade unions on November 8^th in Brussels to evaluate the situation within the two companies that are suffering a harsh restructuring process after HP’s takeover of EDS last May.



Feedbacks from countries that participated in the first European wide action day at HP and EDS on November 13^th were highly positive. Despite high mobilization, the company did not change its position. In replying to a letter sent by both EMF and UNI’s general secretaries, the Human Resources vice-president of the company simply said that they will go on consulting with EWCs and employees representatives.



This attitude is certainly unacceptable and a growing disappointment is taking place among the workforce of the two firms. HP’s employees certainly do not understand why their social benefits are cut while the company is in a very good financial situation and expects increasing benefits. On top of that, management doesn’t reduce its own bonuses and high pay to get credibility as they did in the past.



At EDS workers are extremely worried about their future since the company announced that the majority of the 9’330 European layoffs will hurt former EDS employees. Nonetheless, management still refuses to communicate the figures regarding future redundancies and the way they will implement the restructuring plan in each country affected. But management said the process which was initially foreseen to last two years will be shortened to a period of three months!



Unions call for a new period of national movements early next year that will lead to another common European action day later on to protest against the non-acceptable conditions faced by HP and EDS employees.



They also call for meaningful information and consultation processes which will pave the way for acceptable solutions for all workers.