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Support the Fujitsu Workers

07/01/10

éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson has expressed the party’s support for workers from the Japanese-owned technology firm Fujitsu who have begun strike action in the Six Counties.

The workers are taking the action in protest at the company’s plans to axe jobs, freeze wages and cut pension payments. Last year, Fujitsu announced plans to cut 1,200 jobs in Ireland and Britain. Workers at Fujitsu plants in England are also out on strike.

Fujitsu Services continues to make substantial profits despite the global recession, with £200 million [€223 million] profit before taxation in 2008, while the parent company is cash rich, having raised over $900 million [£564 million, €628 million] from a recent share sale. Announcing the latest results on October 28 last year, the Fujitsu president highlighted that, for the first half of the year, “the company beat its earnings target despite a very challenging business environment”.

Leeson said: “Fujitsu is not a company that is in danger of going bust due to the economic crisis or even one that is struggling. In fact, it is a highly profitable and successful company that is attempting to take advantage of the recession in order to axe jobs, freeze wages and cut pension payments. This is totally unacceptable.

“The workers at the company are right to take strike action to protect their entitlements. After all, it is their hard work that has put Fujitsu in the financial position it is in.”

Leeson continued: “Fujitsu’s plans to attack the living standards and rights of its staff are part of a broader war that is being waged upon working people by both the business class and government. This war is being waged in Ireland and across the world.

“Therefore, it is encouraging that workers in Ireland and England are taking part in today’s strike action. The concept of solidarity between working people of all creeds and nationalities needs to again come to the fore if the class war being waged by big business is to be successfully defeated.

“As the workers in Fujitsu have today demonstrated, the picket lines and on the streets is where these battles have to be fought and won.”

Fujitsu workers will be taking further strike action tomorrow [Friday], Monday [January 11] and January 14 and 15.

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