Conference rocks::uk_digital

Digital staff hit out at bullying bosses

Service engineers at Digital Equipment have accused managers of using
bullying and scaremongering tactics to force them to sign contracts
with diminished terms and conditions.

In letters passed to Computer Weekly by the MSF union, IT staff - some
of whom haven't had a pay rise since 1990 - say they have been managed
"by fear and dictatorship" and that "managers have been browbeating to
get staff to sign the new contracts". One engineer said that after
raising the grievance he received a "series of personal, negative
attacks".

But Digital has accused the union of stirring up the issue to mount a
recruitment drive, saying the arrangements were "misinterpreted and
blown out of all proportion".

The contract changes affect 700 engineers who service customer
multi-vendor systems across the country. The terms include loss of a
paid meal break for shift workers, a reduction in payments for working
out of hours and on weekends, and changes to the areas of operation.

Peter Skyte, national secretary for the MSF union, commented: "Many IT
companies are looking at terms and conditions at the moment. Owing to
intense competition there is more pressure than ever to work extra
hours and many companies are relying on too few people to do the
work."

Digital said 70% of staff have signed the contracts to date. But it
admitted it has extended the consultation period until the end of
April.

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RBI Ltd - � 1997 Reed Business Information Limited

    Surprised that this has not drawn more attention that it has. I don't
    mind saying that I was pleased that the article was published. 
    
    Were the group responsible for the new contract contacted by this
    reporter, and asked for there input?
    Interesting to know whether they declined or were not given the chance. 

re .3

>In letters passed to Computer Weekly by the MSF union, IT staff - some
>of whom haven't had a pay rise since 1990 - say they have been managed

If this is really true & not MSF overstating the case or CW misreporting then I 
can only assume that the people in question were either incredibly overpaid in 
1990 or are incredibly stupid to remain with such a  bad employer.

Nigel

re.3:

>But Digital has accused the union of stirring up the issue to mount a
>recruitment drive, saying the arrangements were "misinterpreted and
>blown out of all proportion".

From what I know of this issue the union did not have to stir anything up.
Members approached their union for advice. This advice was then shared with
non-union employees, many subsequently joined. Obviously the spokesperson did
not know the facts. I also believe it to be very poor management practice to
trivialise the offering of less favourable terms to existing employees. To do
it in public can only damage our image as an employer. I do hope those
responsible learn from this experience. Perception is everything!

Dave.

	From today's Livewire:

|    THRUST BOOSTS NET SHOPPING
|
|    Reference to a new web site dedicated to the Thrust Supersonic Car,
|    which runs on an AlphaServer from Digital Equipment.
|
|    Computer Weekly, London.  22nd May 1997


	I knew Alpha was meant to be fast, but that's the first
	claim I've seen that it can reach Mach 1. 

	~Ian.

Wow, Computer Weekly's researchers are obviously not as quick as either 
THRUSTSSC or Alpha!  We started this site in March '95!

-- Rob