Xerox workers strike over spying

September 22, 2004 - 5:03PM

Photocopier repairers walked off the job today over a plan by Xerox to monitor staff movements using satellite technology.

About 120 NSW Xerox workers will remain on strike until Monday over the company's future plan to install GPS units in their vehicles.

A further 80 Xerox workers in Victoria threatened to strike unless the company ditched the plan by tomorrow.

Australian Services Union (ASU) NSW branch president Sally McManus said technicians used their cars like their offices, and they resented being monitored every moment of the day.

"For them, it's just an issue of trust, number one," she told AAP.

"And number two, it's just another layer of monitoring, of surveillance, that they're not prepared to cop."

Fuji Xerox issued a statement saying it had no immediate plans to install GPS technology in technicians' vehicles or equipment.

But it wanted to be able to use such technology in the future.

"Fuji Xerox wishes to protect its ability to implement suitable new technologies in the future and not be limited to using outdated technologies," customer support manager George Nides said.

The ASU and Xerox are currently negotiating a new pay and conditions agreement.