Press Release

26 September 2008

Press Information ▪ Press Information

Jobs cuts in Hewlett Packard and EDS:

a worrying signal for the company’s sustainable development

On 25th September the European Works Councils (EWC) of HP and EDS met in London.
The meeting aimed at presenting to the workers’ representatives the details of the
reorganisation following the acquisition of EDS by Hewlett Packard and the social
repercussions this will entail. Management announced 9 300 layoffs for the combined
company. EDS will be mainly affected by these job cuts.

The European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) and UNI-Europa which are representing
workers in HP and EDS are condemning the planned job-shedding claiming that it does
not bear any economic and industrial relevance. In their view, the plan does not address
the real problems faced by the company. It is merely a short sighted cost-cutting
strategy which will deprive the company of its most valuable asset, a qualified workforce.

The EMF and UNI-Europa are calling on HP management to provide full information to
the trade union / employee representative bodies - both at European and national levels
– on the economic motivation behind this plan as well as the long-term business plan for
the combined company. The only business intention expressed so far is to offshore most
of the jobs. From the trade unions' point of view this is not sufficient to ensure a long
term perspective for the company and its employees.

UNI-Europa and the EMF also urge management to ensure meaningful consultation pn
the planned economic and social measures. In particular they demand the HP and EDS
EWCs to be consulted on employment issues as stipulated by their respective
agreements.

EMF and UNI-Europa expect the companies to negotiate effective social plans with the
employee representatives. It is also expected that HP and EDS offer appropriate training
for those whose jobs are threatened and engage in active labour market measures to
enable them to re-integrate into work as soon as possible.

They reiterate their opposition to any compulsory redundancies/layoffs and expect

management to shoulder its social responsibility by providing a European-wide plan for
redeployment and re-skilling of the existing workforce.

The EMF and UNI-Europa will convene a meeting of their affiliated trade unions in the
coming days to discuss the situation on HP/EDS and future steps.
___________
PRESS 22/2008
International Trade Union House (ITUH)
Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 5 (bte 10)
B-1210 Brussels
Tel: +32/(0)2/227 10 10
EMF PR Unit: Caroline Jacobsson & Linda Rackham Fax: +32/(0)2/217 59 63
cjacobsson@emf-fem.org lrackham@emf-fem.org www.emf-fem.org ▪ emf@emf-fem.org
Press Release

The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European
metal industry. The EMF has a mandate for the external representation and coordination
of the metalworkers' unions and a mandate to engage in bargaining at European level.

UNI-Europa is the European trade union organisation for skills and services.

For further information please contact:

Editor, Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary
Caroline Jacobsson, EMF Advisor on Company Policy + 32 2 2271057
Gerd Rohde, UNI-Europa, gerd.rohde@uniglobalunion.org

International Trade Union House (ITUH)

Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 5 (bte 10)
B-1210 Brussels
Tel: +32/(0)2/227 10 10
EMF PR Unit: Caroline Jacobsson & Linda Rackham Fax: +32/(0)2/217 59 63
cjacobsson@emf-fem.org lrackham@emf-fem.org www.emf-fem.org ▪ emf@emf-fem.org