Fujitsu job cuts: 379 posts in Telford under threat
Workers with Fujitsu in Telford have been left sweating over their futures after the Japanese company announced it was to cut 1,800 jobs in the UK.
The IT equipment and services company employs 379 people in the town, and has not yet said where the job cuts will fall.
In total the company employs 14,000 UK staff, with offices around the country, but the company said it wanted to streamline operations "to remain competitive".
No jobs will go this year, the company said, with the news representing only the beginning of the consultation process. The news was described as a "hammer blow" by the union Unite.
National officer Ian Tonks said: "This is a hammer blow for these hard-working employees who have given their all to make the UK subsidiary highly profitable.
"It is not good news for the UK economy as the company says that it intends to offshore many of these jobs, with increased automation also responsible for job losses. Fujtsu's main UK subsidiary made £85.6 million profit last year and we see no reason for these job losses. Unite will be doing its utmost to fight for these jobs, as well as giving our members maximum support at this very worrying time."
The Telford operation provides hardware and design for HMRC, and is based off Ironmasters Way.
The company said: "Fujitsu is planning a transformation program that will enable it to better support customers in the era of digital transformation. The company today advised its employee representative forum of plans to restructure the organisation in order to provide better service and respond more quickly to customer needs.
"As part of the programme, Fujitsu plans to streamline operations in order to remain competitive in the market.
"Proposed measures include changes which would result in a reduction of up to 1,800 jobs in the UK.
"All affected employees will be offered guidance and support."
