GOVERNMENT SHOULD BOYCOTT IBM - GIDLEY

12.00.00am GMT Thu 5th Nov 2009

Hampshire MP, Sandra Gidley, has today called on the Government to review their existing contracts to computer giant IBM unless it gives its most experienced, qualified employees, a fair deal on a threatened pension scheme.

IBM employees in Hursley, which employs a large number of people living in Hampshire, along with staff from other sites across the UK are extremely concerned over proposed changes to their pension and retirement plans.

Sandra, having recently met with IBM Chief Executive Brendan Riley, said today:

"I have written to the Government to ask that they review their existing contracts with IBM, and do not consider IBM for future contracts until the company promises a fair deal to their longest serving employees.

"Many workers at the Hursley site who will be reaching retirement age within the next ten years are rightly furious that IBM bosses are going back on clear verbal commitments made by senior managers in 2006 that the pension scheme will not be reduced.

"Many are clearly worried that poor performance reviews will be used to reduce their final salary if they do not retire early or accept these proposals. This is despite senior managers being unable to provide any indication to me about what kind of savings these proposals will make for the company.

"Many employees regard the situation as a backdoor to the constructive dismissal of the company's longest serving staff. It is simply disgraceful. I only hope the Government agrees, and takes the kind of action that may make IBM think again."

ENDS