CSC Australia axes local jobs

The company has confirmed to iTnews that it is undergoing an "alignment" and "redeployment" of staff.

Early sources indicated the number affected could be as high as 300; however another source has since told iTnews that the number is considerably less.

CSC refused to put an exact figure on how many people are affected.

An official statement obtained by iTnews said CSC had taken the action "in response to the global economic environment".

"CSC Australia is implementing a business strategy to streamline and align resources to best meet current and future business demands while providing the highest quality of services to our clients," the statement reads.

"These changes will result in a limited number of redundancies and redeployments at CSC.

Where employees are displaced, CSC makes every effort to provide outplacement assistance and to help workers find employment elsewhere within CSC."

The news comes as a surprise after Australian president Nick Wilkinson emailed customers on the company's global 50th anniversary two weeks ago, stating 2009 "looks like a banner year for CSC - despite the global financial crisis."

"We are confident that our solid financial standing, experience and reputation will enable us to play an even greater part in bringing real value to our customers in the coming year," Wilkinson said.

"We will work alongside them to help eliminate costs, optimise their IT portfolio and improve profitability - needs which are becoming ever increasing critical priorities as economic pressures grow."

iTnews is seeking further comment from CSC Australia president Nick Wilkinson.