Industrial dispute over the dismissal of a Fujitsu worker and union representative continue to disrupt operations at the technology company’s Crewe site.
It was announced on Friday September 2 that workers at Fujitsu Services have once again voted in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike.
The industrial relations breakdown has come as a result of continued dissatisfaction over the treatment of a Unite union member Alan Jenney.
Workers feel the union representative was unfairly dismissed by Fujitsu due to his position as a union representative. During headcount cuts being made at Fujitsu other staff members were redeployed. Workers feels Mr Jenny has been unfairly targeted by management.
In June this year Fujitsu workers at the same Fujitsu site, based in Crewe, carried out a one day strike in protest over the forced redundancy. Mr Jenny has worked for Fujitsu for 17 years since leaving full time education.
Mr Jenney’s employment tribunal took place last week, reigniting discontent over the issue.
Unite members voted by 85.6% for industrial action short of strike and by 56.4% for strike action. The union has not yet set strike dates.
In a statement Unite has said it has consistently sought to avoid the use of industrial action by utilising ACAS as conciliators but after discussions stretching over weeks little progress has been made.
Kevin O’Gallagher, Unite’s national officer for IT and communications said: “Our members have made it loud and clear that they are no longer willing to put up with Fujitsu flouting agreements and leaving union representatives, fearing for their futures when carrying out their legitimate business.”
Mr O’Gallagher concluded: “It is totally wrong to target someone who only wants to support their colleagues at work. We urge the company to see sense and resolve the outstanding issues through negotiation.”
