EDS hits job cut target

EDS told The Register today that it has axed around 250 jobs following its limited voluntary redundancy plan offered to more than 2,500 UK-based staff last month.

An EDS spokesman said that the company was "satisfied" that its latest job cull had "met expectations".

The outsourcing firm, which holds a number of key public sector contracts in the UK, had given 2,782 employees the option to apply for voluntary redundancy up to the deadline of 15 January.

It had hoped to complete the process by the end of January following talks with shareholders and union members.

Public and Commercial Services (PCS) national officer Jim Hanson said EDS received 266 offers for voluntary redundancy, of which 183 had so far been accepted.

He added that it was too early to confirm a final headcount figure but reckoned between 200 and 250 staff would be clearing their desks, which matches the number EDS had originally targeted.

When asked why the firm hadn't received more applications given the number of employees offered voluntary redundancy, Hanson said: "EDS workers are appalled at the prospect of redundancy and we usually advise our members against it."

He added that, at this stage, EDS has no plans to make compulsory redundancies at the firm. ®