The UK arm of Computer Sciences Corporation has signed an
agreement with Amicus, the UK's largest private sector union, that
promises no compulsory redundancies and commitments to invest in
the skills of its UK staff.
The US-based services company employs 10,000 people in the UK,
running IT for Anglian Water, the Royal Mail, Zurich Financial
Services and BHS. It is also the local service provider in the
North West for the NHS national IT programme.
The agreement formally commits CSC to full, early consultation
with Amicus on its global- isation strategy, with the supplier
promising that its global sourcing activity will not lead to
compulsory redundancies in the UK.
It also includes a financial commitment by CSC to reinvest a
proportion of any savings it makes from sourcing internationally in
developing higher-level skills in the UK workforce.
Peter Skyte, national officer for Amicus, said, "Globalisation
may be an economic reality but employers must continue to invest in
people, skills and technology rather than engage in a race to the
bottom."
Alan Johnson, secretary of state for trade and industry, hailed
the deal as "showing the way ahead" for industry in a globalised
world. "The crucial thing is to ensure that it works for the many,
not the few," he said.