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Here
are the latest Comments
from IBM employees:
Comment
07/02/08:
To
Fingerbun: Two political actions that could slow offshoring:
1) Mandate that no Medical or Financial records for US Citizens be processed/accessed
from outside the United States.
2) Tie H1B Visa quota's to the national unemployment rate for a particular job
class (ie Unemployment for Project Managers or System Administrators falls below
2%, then H1B visas can be used to bring the number back in line). Write your
Congressmen ! -Anonymous-
Comment
07/02/08:
Just
a matter of time: I haven't heard that the DBAs would be insourced, but it wouldn't
surprise me. As for the SA's, I believe you are right: it's just a matter of
time. -Anonymous-
Comment
07/02/08:
To
Anonymous - any idea when the Wellpoint Unix SAs and DBAs are being offshored?
There was talk of the DBAs being insourced. Thanks! -Wellpoint - Just
a matter of time...-
Comment
07/01/08:
Just 1 Waiting - your concerns are valid but I'm not sure about
your solution. Unless the US is going to shut itself off from the rest of the
world as Japan once did, your union must be international. A national union
cannot stop offshoring. Worse, attempts to stop offshoring could actually make
the US workforce less competitive and accelerate the very thing you would be
trying to stop. But a strong union could force corporations to act more ethically
in the way they offshore. -Fingerbun-
Comment
07/01/08:
Concerning the RA of Lexington Distributed Operators: I have it from
good authority that anyone claiming time against the Wellpoint Account will
be RA'd. In the past, Management was allowed to shed contractors and move regulars
from the account that was being offshored to other accounts. Not with this action
though. My understanding is that Jeff Miller has directed that anyone who was
claiming time to Wellpoint must go. This is Miller’s way of sucking up
to senior executives--showing them how tough he is. Cropper is on board with
this strategy as well. Smee and Company must be proud of you boys. -Anonymous-
Comment
07/01/08:
-slated to go- It could be only a maximum of 13 weeks. It all
depends on whether you can get the "standard" severance or the "enhanced"
severance which I still hear is up to 26 weeks (2 weeks for every year up to
13 years, minimum of 8 weeks).
If you are a PBC "3" or a PBC "2" Managed Out without a
specific RA then you usually only can get the standard package from my understanding.
PLEASE NOTE: if you leave on your own or IBM construes you are leaving you generally
get no severance. Severance is actually considered a benefit offered by IBM.
I wish folks would not worry about what severance they are going to get now.
Why not spend more energy with whatever time you have left in IBM trying to
do steps to get us closer to a collective bargaining agreement with IBM. Organize
your fellow workers now! Then we can all have a say in what the severance package
may be. At one time IBM offered much better severance than we can get now (I
think it might have been up to 52 weeks back in the 1980's) but since we can't
negotiate with IBM without a collective bargaining agreement yet, IBM can choose
to offer whatever severance package it wants IF it wants. -sby_willie-
Comment
06/30/08:
13 Distributed Operators to be RA'd in Lexington Kentucky due to the
Wellpoint account going to India. Way to go Jeff Miller and Owen Cropper! Thanks
for your support. -Anonymous-
Comment
06/30/08:
to the Alliance: Let me just say that if you maintain the number of
members you have through 2010 you will get your union, because that is probably
the number of IBM employees that will be left in the late, great, U.S. of A.
-just1waiting-
Comment
06/29/08:
I joined this union in hopes that IBM employees would finally see that
they needed to join together and start working towards saving our jobs. I know
now that it is too late for that. Our jobs are being outsourced at an alarming
rate. It is going to take more than a single labor union to put a stop to the
outflow of our jobs and along with those jobs our intellectual capital.
IBM and other multinational corporations are now hammering in the final nail
to our frightening economic future. They spouted their venom about globalization
being better for the American economy, against all logic, until most of the
sheep followed. Well, we can all see the result.
Whatever happened to common sense?
If we tried to argue the point that if they sent our jobs away they took away
our ability to provide our family's bare necessities much less support the American
economy, they would begin shouting the word protectionism as if it was a dirty
word. I have to just shake my head in disbelief when I hear that, because protectionism
is why we have fought the many wars that made us a free country. Of course any
sane person wants to protect our homes, families, jobs, belongings and most
of all FREEDOM. Free trade is what they shout! Well, folks there ain't nothin'
that's free, period.
Bringing together the employees of a single greedy corporation is just not going
to get it. We the people are going to have to do better than that. The only
thing our government has managed to come up with is a lame stimulus package
that was thrown together not for us, but for the retailers. They had hoped that
we would spend more money on more imported junk. However, they are now figuring
out that for the most part people were using the money to pay overdue debts
because of our stagnant or declining salaries, pay down charge cards with their
gangster like interest rates, catch up on sub-prime mortgages, put gas in our
gas guzzling imported automobiles, buy overpriced imported salmonella ridden
food and even the folks who have been more frugal stuck the money in a saving
account. Our economy is in the toilet folks!
How is it that the gap between people who "have" and people who "have
not" has gone from being a crack to being a great chasm? What we need is
a national labor union, is that even possible? -just1waiting-
Alliance reply: It is NOT too late for IBM employees to build a union and go
forward to obtain a contract. A national labor union is possible. They already
exist. CWA (Alliance@IBM affiliated) has a national membership
of @ 700,000 union members. The CWA belongs to the AFL-CIO; which has multiple
unions as members. Bringing together employees of IBM to join Alliance@IBM CWA
local 1701, is what we are trying to do. We thank you for your membership and
all the effort you have taken and will take to make this a reality for IBM employees.
Talk to your co-workers. Seek out people to discuss the alternatives. You are
not alone. The organizing effort can not all be done by one person. It must
be done by ALL Alliance@IBM members. Contact our office for some help. Don't
give up.
Comment
06/27/08:
Please answer this question for me. How can Alliance ever gain enough
membership when the company continues to lay people off non stop? Everybody
that I know that was booted out with me and has a new job doesn't even read
this site anymore. Once they are gone there is no more interest. -RAd
with the rest-
Alliance
reply: The Alliance will continue to organize as long as there are employees.
We will continue to challenge IBM. Think how much power we would have if even
40% of the employees at one site or in all of IBM, really stood up and said
enough is enough to Sam P. It can happen if the employees have the will.
Comment
06/26/08:
Does anyone know what the severance pkg is like? Are they still offering
a max of 26 weeks pay? I have heard they dropped the max down to 18 weeks. This
is for the folks that are currently affected and any folks to be layed off in
the future. -slated to go-
Comment
06/26/08:
Surprised no one brought up but layoff happened to us in Rochester yesterday.
http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=7&a=349090
-Rochester too!!!-
Alliance reply:
Thanks for
the link. We posted this on our front page.
Comment
06/26/08:
I have heard that The microelectronics division is going to experience
layoffs. Not sure of the numbers, but layoffs are included in the plans.
-miss understanding-
Comment
06/26/08:
I have heard from some top sources that as the summer progresses in
BTV there is going to be more jobs lost. This will happen when Fishkill is done
with their re-org. Good Luck to all those that feel safe. -Good Luck-
Comment
06/25/08:
Re: fire D manager- You can choose to not post this as you do
with so many posts, but this guy is right. IBM knows what it's doing, and there
will never be a UNION. Don't get me wrong, you definately need one in IBM. Notice
I said you. I was also there for 9 years. I watched this site, paid dues until
I was canned, and got nothing but a notice from IBM, to get the hell out. It's
time to cut and run for those who are left. Now I work for a company that treats
me right. IBM just plain sucks. That's the bottom line. It ain't worth fighting
for your job there, anymore. IF you people at Alliance have any balls whatsoever;,
post this entire comment, and then comment on your own if you like. -ra'd
last year-
Alliance reply: First of all, you left no email address or name. There is no
way for us to validate that you were ever, an Alliance@IBM voting member. Second,
if you were watching this site all the time you believed that we "definitely
need" a union, and DIDN'T help to make a union a reality; how could you
expect it to happen on its own? What's that about "cut and run"??
Every man/woman for themselves? To hell with your co-workers and the idea that
fighting back collectively is worthless or a bad thing to do? Organizing takes
effort. Effort means not sitting still with your hand out, waiting for the union
to walk into your company and take over. It's never worked like that and it
never will. Organizing a union, joining a union, fighting for your job.... That
takes courage, perseverance, and effort. What was that you were saying about
"balls"?
Comment
06/25/08:
To -fire D manager- Lets see. Managers decide who is fired. We
have to cut one person. I know! If I am the manager I will fire myself for the
good of the team. Not going to happen. Why is it that Steelworkers, Iron workers,
Auto workers, Hospital workers, Teachers, Government workers et_al get it and
unionized. And as a result most still have a defined pension and affordable
benefits. And the alleged highly inteligent IBM employees can not grasp that
IBM will do NOTHING for them without being forced to. Not this year, not next
year not ever again. Read ALL the comments sections. Even some who got a one
rating still did not get a raise. thats essentialy a pay cut for OUTSTANDING
work and contribution. Oh and you can bet your health benefits are going to
cost you more in the fall for next year. Little or no raises and higher benefit
costs during record earnings and profits. How do you think it will be during
leaner times. I do not believe IBM will hesitate to do across the board pay
cuts if they get away with the 15 percent cut without any union repercussions.
If we allow them to get away with that and the insulting raises again this year
then we send them a clear message. We do not care how you abuse us we will take
it like the sheep and robots that we are and thank you for shoving it deep up
our collective asses. IBM. Its not a career anymore. Its just a job. -Exodus
2007-
Comment
06/25/08:
Well, I was RA'd from GS in May 2007. I periodically check in here just
to see what shenanigans IBM is up to and, sadly, they seem to be as bad or worse
as they ever were. For me, things couldn't be better after IBM...better pay,
better working conditions, respect, etc. I know many people are just hanging
in, waiting for that package which may never materialize, or may materialize,
but may be far less than you'd hoped. My own thoughts are that I wish I had
acted on my own disenchantement with IBM 5 years prior to the RA. I know damn
well that I'd be farther ahead now if I hadn't clung to IBM and had actively
pursued other opportunities. So here's what I have to say: while you remain
with IBM, join the Union. I can tell you that I'm in a union position now and
I work 1/2 an hour less a day, make $20K+ more, and get paid overtime at 2X.
Oh, pay increments are set out in our union contract, so it's not down to the
whim of IBM management. One last piece of advice: when something better or with
more potential comes along, take it and don't look back. You'll more than make
up the pittance IBM will throw you when you're RA'd, through improved quality
of life and (most likely) improved remuneration. -You Don't Always Get
What You Want...-
Comment
06/25/08:
The Burlington plant will continue to layoff employees throughout the
summer. 180 in already happened in June. I heard from a very reliable source
(my former 2nd level manager) that there will be a few hundred more in July
and August. Join the Alliance and lets stop this harassment of American employees.
-Joe-
Comment
06/25/08:
TO >>>-Getting RA'd->>> If you have to ask,
you must be a newby. You don't get out of it, just make it take a long, long,
long time to do the transfer of knowledge... how long did it take you to learn
all the ins and outs...years. Take one day to do each step of a process. What
are they going to do; RA you ? -been-there-done-that-
Comment
06/25/08:
Lou Dobbs on federal government inquiry into a law firm that helps companies,
like IBM, with H1B's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrapEizmuyM
No American need apply. -just1waiting-
Alliance reply: We posted this link in one of the
comments sections, a while back. It's definitely worth a second look.
Comment
06/25/08:
Why pay US wages when you can get twice or three times the crap for
the same money? Good point, quality_assurance because most of what I've seen
out of BRIC countries is certainly at that level of quality. -Truth be
Told-
Comment
06/25/08:
Seems to me -nobody- that the fault is with the teacher than it is with
the people you claim to be teaching. Poor documentation at half the price is
still poor documentation. Obviously the teacher should be US based because it
doesn't appear to be working the other way around based on what you describe.
-Blame the Teacher-
Comment
06/25/08:
Lets face it, there is not going to be any union except for this message board.
I would like to think there would be but after working in Fishkill for 9 years
I have yet to see any organized union rallies or meetings. The only hope we
can have is the managers are hit first.
-fire
D manager-
Alliance reply:
It is possible we can set up a meeting in the near future. Right now we have
'members only' conference calls for the mid-Hudson area. Face to face meetings
in the past 5 years were very low in attendance. It makes no sense to spend
lots of money for a big room and only have a handful show up. We need commitments
from employees that they will attend. If that happens we will set up a meeting.
Comment
06/25/08:
Why do I always see young folks complaining about old timers not pulling their
weight. Considering IBM's love of dumping old timers they must be out working
the kids. I remember a typewriter CE saying to me, "I took 15 calls today
and you only took one. I I work 15 times harder then you". My one call
was a down system whose maintenance brought in more money in a month then those
15 Typewriters brought in in ten years. Sometimes its quality rather then quantity.
On many occasions, I have gone onsite with a youngster who had failed to fix
the customer's problem. Looked at the problem, told the youngster what to do
next then went over and talked baseball or football etc with the customer who
had known me for 20 years and trusted me to get the problem fixed. As a result
of this the customer did not call the manager to throw the youngster out of
the account because I asked him to give the kid a chance. To the kid I was sitting
on my ass while he did all the work. In actuality I was saving the kids job.
Did I ever throw that in the kids face. No. But the more I read comments like
this the more I think we oldsters should do just that. Or run to management
like the kids do to tell em how hard we work and how we just had to bail the
kid out. Management would love for us to do that. Make it very easy for them
to lower appraisals and not give raises and not have to do any work themselves.
But we understand its our coworkers who make up the team. Not our managers.
Just like football. Bad season, Team stays, coach goes. Stop trying to beat
each other down thinking thats what gets you ahead. Band together and all of
you will get ahead. Remember IBM is the best at divide and conquor. No, not
against their competition, but against their employees. Old plan, New plan,
First choicer, over 40 choicer, cash balance, No FHA, FHA, No raise for a one
because you saturated a make believe bracket and we need to give the little
bit of raise money we have to young people to retain them. And on and on. Stop
Falling For it. A Union is the only answer that can address all your grievences.
-Exodus 2007-
Comment
06/25/08:
I hope they start the next round of layoffs with all 2nd and 1st line managers.
-fire D manager-
Alliance reply:
How about "Join D Union"? Maybe that's an even better strategy?
Comment
06/24/08:
To Neal Watkins: I
agree experience helps a lot, but so does paying attention. In the past month
I have provided 2 of my lesser skilled (US based) team members detailed instructions
(all they had to do was cut/paste or type what I had written down for them)
to facilitate change. They both failed to review the documentation, or pay close
attention to it. And I've counted how many times I've had to show them how to
do the same thing over and over again. I can't begin to tell you how many times
I've been asked "how do you do this?" or "where is this located"
only to have to point them to documentation that was already provided to them.
This type of work deserves to be off-shored. If IBM is going get crap quality
work, why not let BRIC do it for less money - can't blame IBM one bit. People
keep saying the quality of US work is better than BRIC - if you look at 1 or
2 specific people , but overall it's not - first hand experience working with
US people who simply can't do their job because they lack the ability to pay
attention.
-nobody-
Comment
06/24/08:
If you want to know what happened to your job, read this article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,371081,00.html
-left last year-
Comment
06/24/08:
Vermont says IBM plant to layoff 180 workers. http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080624/vt_ibm_layoffs.html?.v=1
-Mistressofthei5-
Comment
06/24/08:
I was told yesterday that I am going to RA'd by the end of the year. The contract
I am working on is going back to AT&T - they want us to train before we
all leave - bout 35 people, what is the best way to get out of training my replacement.
-Getting RA'd-
Comment
06/24/08:
I read a lot about quality of work in the US vs BRIC. I'm a Sys Admin and still
work with US based application teams. I have to say, they're horrible when it
comes to following processes and being pro-active. The teams I work with NEVER
patch their applications unless they break, or have a CIRATS records due in
3 days to address security patces. It's all last second work. I have an account
that the application teams don't even know what servers their applications run
on, or even if they have a user id on that system. They wait until Friday to
put in a change record for the following Saturday, when they know well in advance
they have to do the work. Point being, the US is NOT a better quality of work
than BRIC, and quite honestly, I don't blame IBM one bit for wanting to off-shore
work when it's being done so poorly in the US. Why pay US wages when you can
get the same quality with less money. -quality_assurance-
Comment
06/23/08:
Ref:Starving beemer: Well...maybe and maybe not...
When you have a long time with the company, you've accumulated a lot of knowledge.
You start to realize that there is "nothing new under the sun" but
there are sure people that it's all new to. It's like the old joke about a machine
repairman that came to fix a large industrial machine. He reached in the back
a pushed a button and the machine started working. He charged them $1025. $25
for the service call and $1000 for knowing which button to push. Maybe those
old guys can do in 5 minutes what it takes you 3 hours to figure out. That gives
them time to do 5 or 6 things while you're running around. That gives them time
to go to the cafeteria and talk about golf. I saw it too many times. "How
did you know that?" Well...experience helps a lot. If I didn't know, I
usually knew who to ask in a lot of different areas. You can do this too. Why
not get closer to these "experienced" folks. You may be surprised
that they are eager to share their knowledge. You know...collaborate to solve
a problem. Work smarter not harder. I'll bet they know how to do that. Really
"THINK" for a change. Oops...those signs are long gone... But I still
have mine - in 2 languages. I have a million examples of this but not enough
time or space here ... -Neal Watkins-
Comment
06/23/08:
I suppose you could say I am an old timer since I just passed my 30 year mark
with IBM. I used to be in the same boat as the new hires (as ALL new hires are)
with entry level salaries that were less than the oldtimers that were around
when I started. It was those old timers that trained me and taught me how to
succeed. BUT, I certainly am not sitting around waiting for a package, or take
6 coffee breaks a day, 2 hour lunches, some members of neighbouring teams that
I work close to infact have scheduled 'crossword' sessions/contests 3 times
a day! I work the 60-90 hour schedules every week, and would mach my desire
for customer satisfaction and work ethics with any one (old or new). Like you,
I have the mortgage, car payments and college tuitions to pay... but I like
my job, and I like the people I work with, and I don't have time to monitor
what they are or are not doing. It's NOT my retirement that will raise your
salary or jump you level. It's hard work and dedication. Worry less about your
co-workers age and length of service and you might find you have time to do
more and get the recognition (and salary and levels)you feel you deserve. No
matter where you are at, there will always be someone with more age and tenure
- learn from them! How many 20 year CEOs are out there in the real world? Experience
is the best teacher and someday, you too will be older, more mature and wise
enough to know what is and is not appropriate to say or write in public or private.
Sure there are bad eggs in every age group, but just because you are older does
not mean you are used up and should be put out to die. -- Old Timer and Still
Kicking with the young studs - -Anonymous-
Comment
06/23/08:
Starving beamer, Could be a reason us old timers make more money. For
one thing we tend to know our facts. Do some research and find out what the
average time in service at IBM is. Salary in the 20's !!! That is an early 1980's
salary. Why do you stay? Waiting for a package. Again do some reading on the
subject. IBM robbed the pension plan years ago and then froze what was left.
The medical after leaving will last a couple years at best. Those of us that
have really worked for the pig for thirty years will still have to work after
leaving IBM just to cover our medical. We have grown with every tool set IBM
has used. Can you say the same. In the bottom of my desk is my old slide rule.
It will most likely still be usable long after you and I have left the company.
-Old timer-
Comment
06/23/08:
IBM started giving notice to managers let go today here in Burlington. Tomorrow
the rest of us find out just how deep this goes. -update-
Comment
06/23/08:
It is true. Working along side old timers who are basically there waiting for
a good package, is getting old. I don't care about the age issue as there are
just as many new IBMers from over the last ten years as there are old timers.
But the fact that the people doing the same job as you are making 70-100 grand
a year performing some pathetic task, while you are paid 30 a year after 8-10
years (without AWS, salary in the 20's!) is ridculous and something that is
constantly and ridiculously ignored. If someone has not advanced in the company
after 25-35 years beyond running some tool or doing a job a temp could do, then
they are NOT an asset and are bilking the company. With pathetic salaries in
the 20's the rest of us (who are doing all the work and sometimes pathetically
running the show as well) can barely afford to eat with the increase in gas
and other prices. Unlike the old timers, we will not retire millionaires with
all your stock and retirement. You can laugh at that if you want, but we all
know what you've got coming and...well...add it up. If anyone should start a
union it's us newer peeps getting bread and water for being 1 and 2+ performers
every year. IBM why are you not offering these old timers a package?? Most of
them are just waiting for one. You are wasting money, and please...SPREAD SOME
THIS WAY SO WE CAN AFFORD TO LIVE A RESPECTABLE LIFE!! -starving_beemer-
Alliance reply: We welcome your membership. We want to organize ALL US IBM employees;
regardless of their age, salary, or years of service. Management is NOT elligible
to join. Your situation
would dramatically improve, if you had a union contract, bargained for by all
the union employees' representatives.
Comment
06/23/08:
Been there done that.. Your talking about an IBM that has not existed in the
USA since 2001 - 2002. IBM, as far as ITD - GS, has gutted and thinned out the
resources so much that its beyond the fat, they are loping off arms at this
point. We were into muscle and bone during 2005 2006. I watched as contract
after contract went from judging the sla's and customer sat to using lawyers
to fend off the lawsuits from missed sla's and poor performance. I watched a
robust pipeline drain whilst hearing all types of excuses why it wasn't filling,
as we watched HP and EDS take our lunch year after year. Its amazing about the
comments regarding folks in India and China. Yes, there are some brilliant folks
there. My experience has been a completely different work ethic, lack of continuity,
customer dedication during a crisis is lacking. Management is only looking to
exploit a cheap labor force, that's it. You read stories about how abused the
ibm employees are in India and how folks are leaving in droves. Ibm is now exploiting
Vietnam, because the labor is cheaper. It doesn't change. You can sugar coat
it all you want, the bean counters are running the business. Ibm's rep continues
to drop in value. -former ibm'er-
Comment
06/22/08:
Since it is so profitable to hire off -shore employees (you get so much more
for your money), why don' t we find off-shore replacements for Sam Palmisano
and the other low performers. I am sure these foreigners can do a much better
job than there American counterparts, right? -Anonymous-
Comment
06/21/08:
Totally agree with Zion. One thing I do see at IBM Canada is that the technical
teams are pretty much 'Leaned' but there seems to be lots of money for clerical/non
billable workers - they sent a load of 'Service Analysts' (ie, clerical, non
technical help desk) from out west to the east coast for 'training' at great
expense and when we need training for a genuine, technical reason we are refused.
Any business needs to work optimally and needs to cut fat in harder business
climates, but from what I see is 2 things:
1. Cutting in the wrong areas.
2. Some older IBM'ers who are clearly there for a free wage package since they
take 6 coffee breaks a day, 2 hour lunches, some members of neighbouring teams
that I work close to infact have scheduled 'crossword' sessions/contests 3 times
a day!. It is the other half of the IBM'ers (the hard working, suffering, skilled
ones) that I sympathise with - including myself - why aren't these lazy IBM'ers
cut? probably because they keep their mouths shut and are no trouble to management
(apart from the small output of work)
3. The obvious, which is what we all are complaining about: outsourcing to cheaper
locations and the skill level is not the same - meaning the client suffers,
the remaining techie suffers in that he/she has to cover up/correct for the
person in India etc - all this while the executive gets richer and everything
else (including IBM) suffers. -DM-
Comment
06/20/08:
To Blueturd. Absolutely, Wellpoint support will be offshored. It would have
already been offshored, were not the contract so poorly managed, particularly,
IBM's inability to integrate the Mainframes from Va, Ga, and CA. The whole thing
was a mess and IBM has had a bunch of senior level exec's assigned to square
it away. Rest assured, it's going. -Anonymous-
Comment
06/20/08:
-Been there done that- It's still happening in IBM Canada today, folks
shows up late, chat on the internet, take long coffee / lunch break and watch
the clock until 4:pm. IBM needs to cut the fat, unfortunately the hard working
folks get cut first and these waste get to enjoy another pay check.. Canada
-Zion-
Comment
06/20/08:
To: -Been there done that- You are absolutely correct. All the people
saying that American multi-national companies are doomed to fail don't understand
economics. American companies are stronger when they are more productive and
if that means outsourcing jobs overseas to more productive workers, so be it.
It's a global economy with global competition. Open your eyes to the health
of the company instead of just focusing on your own little job. -global
economy now-
Alliance reply:
You're confusing productivity with cost. They are separate. The USA has had
the highest productivity for many years, than the rest of the world. The offshored
jobs went to countries that were not even in the game of productivity. The jobs
went there because LABOR WAS CHEAP. Cheap=cost=higher profits for the company
coffers and Executives.....and in IBM's case, not any better dividends to its
stockholders. Open YOUR eyes to the concept of a level playing field, in an
upward direction, not a race to the bottom. Think Global Union. The means of
productivity are owned by the company; however, the results of productivity
are in the hands of labor. Organized labor is what is needed to truly level
the playing field of the Global Economy.
Comment
06/20/08:
With just ONE additonal job cut announced on June 17 from East Fishkill and
Poughkeepsie drops IBM's employee number in Dutchess county some more. We now
know that they are not fulfilling their promise to Dutchess Co. NY state to
maintain a minimum employment figure (not including temporary or contract workers)
to get corporate welfare tax abatements. -shameful Blue-
Comment
06/19/08:
-Finite- But
without union representation with a collective bargaining contract, the big
corporate boys have all the money to wait you out in the fight against any discrimination;
since you can't even file a real grievance as a start. -anonymous-
Comment
06/19/08:
I am not American. I
welcome America's contributions to the technology and wealth of the world (which
have been considerable). But I don't want the rest of the world to live in squalor
so Americans alone can enjoy wealth. IBM is adapting to the new world and will
contribute to the prosperity of Americans and others. In the process of adaption,
some people are getting badly hurt, whcih is not good. But if IBM and other
companies don't adapt, they will die and their contributions will be lost. Which
is preferable? Where there is a viable union, I would join it; not because it
can wind back the clock, but because it can be a force to cushion the blows
of change for those affected. The comments about simple life being unable to
compete in a greed-oriented society should make everyone think. You can choose
to be less greedy. I have done so and am free of debt and could survive retrenchment
without real pain if needed. Once you adjust your thinking its a great way to
be. -Fingerbun-
Alliance reply:
IBM is preaching adaptation; but still going about their business as they always
have: Make a profit and work around country labor laws, to get what they want.
The new world you're speaking of is contrived by companies like IBM. The squalor
that you mention has been part of the world's situation at least, since the
industrial revolution. That's the era that unions began to appear with stronger
resistance to the greed factor. You may be right about the perception that Americans
have enjoyed wealth and prosperity; while other countries in the world were
plundered by American Corporations. "The Ugly American" was even made
into a movie in the early 1960's. The point is; corporate greed continues, now
as Global corporate greed, not just American. The Corporations of the world
are focused on countries like China, India, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, the Phillipines,
etc., where cheap labor means bigger profits for the corporations---not prosperity
for the majority of the country's population. IBM has been at the forefront
of this "globalism" before it was even called that. It's even in their
divisions names, i.e., "IBM World Trade". It's been in their name
since they incorporated as International Business Machines. Yes, Americans
can choose to be less greedy---and so can global corporations. Stop the race
to the bottom. Organize your co-workers and fight back against the global corporate
domination of all nations. Do what you can within the labor laws of your country,
to level the global field of labor and production. That's democracy at its best.
Comment
06/19/08:
I don't know how to react to a lot of this. I was with IBM from 1988-1993, and
watched several termination plans come and go (FAP, VTP, etc) I left on my own
terms a month after I got my last tuition reimbursement check for my newly minted
MBA. I really don't know how to feel about this mess. On one hand, I am sorry
to see jobs go abroad, but let's face it: who were the hardest working kids
in college, but those from China and India. Where are the majority of the jobs
going? You guessed it. In my last six months at IBM, I had to share an office
with a returnee from maternity leave who brought the freakin kid in every day
because she "couldn't find daycare" (translated: did not want to pay
for it) This lady used to spend her mornings talking to her girlfriends about
her impending divorce, shopping via catalogs (thankfully the internet had not
yet caught on), and planning her weekend. I would be on the phone and her baby
would be crying, and our manager was a rookie who lacked the backbone to do
anything about it. I have to wonder if we all have not had co-workers like this,
and if this is not partly self-inflicted. Best with the unionization efforts!
I am glad to be out. -Been there done that-
Comment
06/19/08:
To -grave_diggers-: One message that should ring clear to everyone on this site
is to NEVER train your replacements. It benefits you in no way what-so-ever.
My team had counterparts in India that they wanted us to train, saying they
would be our overseas team, helping us. We didn't buy it, and plain out refused
to train them. That idea somehow just went away. Our jobs lasted longer than
they would have, but still went away. If you are going to be RA'd anyway, at
least leave with some dignity. NEVER train anybody else to do your job. You
can't hold IBM to any promise. They don't honor them at all! Apparently the
Dutchess economic development board doesn't realise this and it is shameful
they still gave IBM the break. -Ra'd last year-
Comment
06/19/08:
To -Simple_Life-, You make some good points, but one point I do not agree
with.
You had said: "Update our skills to match the market need".
The problem with that is: I watched in dismay as US co-workers who DID have
the skills trained thier overseas counterparts, only to be let go after the
skills and knowledge were transfered. They felt like they were "digging
their own grave" during the process. -grave_diggers-
Comment
06/19/08:
http://tinyurl.com/5m5bq7 Supreme
Court makes it easier to file age discrimination suits -Finite-
Comment
06/19/08:
You are correct in that big American multi-national companies are about to fall.
RBS even announced Sunday, the big economic fall is coming in the next few months
and our national and business egomaniacal leaders will soon be persecuted like
common thieves. The end of the era of using nationalism and gingoism to cover
for economic abuse and failure will soon be upon us and it won't be kind to
America, I'm afraid. They are fiddling with the books and dancing like Nero
with Rome burning and Fort Knox going bankrupt.
The immoral and illogical actions and decisions they are making now are only
the last desperate signs of a financially richer; but lower moral class of individuals
and legalized bullies trying to recover from decades of Harvard business school
led abysmal and immoral mis-management. There is no moral leadership in American
business. It's all been destroyed and replaced with "management" that
doesn't know anything, but how to react like a dying trapped animal, destroying
even itself in a futile and illogical attempt to selfishly save its own skin.
The union concept is not about lifetime employment. It's about fairness in employment.
True, unionism has been infected with scandal and many times it has been confused
or abused by some to try to achieve lifetime employment or personal power, but
that's not the objective of true unionism. The objective of unionism is to provide
a balance via unified labor against improper acting management. I believe unionism
will be increasingly viewed as the only chance for survival for western civilization
and business.
Many western Europeans are blessed with the fairness of unions, although some
have abused it. On the other hand, the majority of the middle east has still
to emerge from the slumber of business slavery prevalent in the middle ages
and enter into the 20th century. Indentured servitude and legal abuse with class
stratification via economic slavery isn't the future, Carlos, it's the past.
Unionism, like liberty and democracy, isn't perfect, but it's the light at the
end of the tunnel for these violent and adverse times which will turn out to
be a new step forward in the political and business evolution of humanity.
-A-
Comment
06/19/08:
yes it is true.. all PBC, IDP and payroll 800# tier 1 support will be going
to Manila from effective 7/1 -stoked-
Comment
06/19/08:
Has anyone heard about the global realignment (i.e. - - India is gonna get your
job)..on the wellpoint account? all of the technical support will be history
before 08 ends. everything is on the table. -blueturd-
Comment
06/18/08:
I totally agree with Carlos that jobs will go wherever makes business sense.
It is simple business 101. People in the US have had an easy time for too long.
It is time to wake up just like Carlos suggested. What can we do to be competitive?
1. Update our skill to match the market need,
2. Develop a saving habit for rainy days,
3. Keep a simple life style,
4. Join a union if there is an effective one (but I seriously doubt it). -Simple_Life-
Alliance reply: Your point is well taken; however, consider these answers to
your recommendations:
1. The market 'need' is cheap labor, not skills. The skills exist in the USA,
with people who
have lost their jobs to Offshoring and Outsourcing: translation=cheap labor
was required by corporations, to 'compete', not skills.
2. Absolutely agree! USA americans have been taught, in the last 3 decades,
to "invest" instead of saving. Big difference. They would buy stocks
and put their money into the "free market" company economy. Savings
accounts were abandoned because interest rates were miniscule and not the 'smartest'
thing to do at the time.
We should have been wiser...
3. Agree, but see #2. Simplicity can't compete in a greed oriented society.
4. Agree. However, the effectiveness of a union is measured by its members willingness
to be involved with it and above all, stand together through all the corporate
world's pressure to de-unionize. Again, the union members are the ones that
make or break the union's effectiveness. Sacrifice, effort, and strength are
still the ingredients that keep unions in place. ALL of the members have to
be willing to work to build an effective union.
That's what unite means!
Comment
06/18/08:
I'm a former IBMer from Portugal, from Software Group. IBM has responsabilities
to Wall Street and profits to IBM is like bananas to monkeys. What do you expect?
USA is doing what many companies in Europe have done, we are not surprised.
Move a business to India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan? yes, its a clever and up-to-date
decision. USA it's not the Capitalism motherland? Ahhhh, but it's knocking at
your door, I know and you don't like it. I'm working in the middle east and
be sure that IBM and others big blues will fall down in the next 10 years. The
world is changing and USA is not anymore DisneyWorld. Sorry, boys, but wake
up. Jobs for the all life doesn't exist anymore in Europe! -carlos-
Comment
06/17/08:
The Poughkeepsie Journal confirms that 250 were let go today... POK
Article -Already gone-
Comment
06/17/08:
TO: -Jobs are Here-: WHAT
ARE YOU NUTS? I cannot believe anyone can say that with a straight face. If
you have been put on the RA LIST..., THERE ARE NO JOBS HERE, THERE OR ANYWHERE!!!
You don't like our pessimistic view? Man, I have heard it all. You deserve whatever
you get Pal. DENIAL is not just a river In Egypt. I got the boot last year this
time, hard finding a job, but once i did, PARADISE COMPARED TO THAT SWEAT SHOP,
FULL OF LYING, CHEATING, TWO FACED MANAGERS THAT WILL STAB YOU IN THE BACK.
Jobs are here -- Keep an eye in your rear view mirror sport. -Paulie-
Comment
06/17/08:
As usual, a week before actions, the local paper warns everyone about how bad
off local IBM business is.. Burlington
Free Press article -Anon-
Comment
06/17/08:
Burlington Free Press reporting.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/BUSINESS/80616046
-btvrumormill-
Comment
06/16/08:
"Comment 06/03/08: Yes - Project Managers are in the spotlight for off-shoring.
Not a good career move if you're in the US, unless you want to be layed off.
-miss understandgin-".... Do you have any details without compromising
your identity or source? I presume this is in the Atkins organization. -another
IBM serial#-
Comment
06/16/08:
-jobs are here- wrote: "To -peevedtothemax- If you're interested
in an internal position, check out the IBM database with the list of IBM assignments/jobs.
If you don't know about these two databases, your manager should know about
them. I guess I'm really at a loss for words at what you're saying. You have
such a pessimistic view on the future of the IBM internal technical jobs. I
don't see it that way at all and I definitely don't lose sleep about it and
worry about it as much as it you seem to. This is just a job that provides income.
If I were to get laid off tomorrow, I have no doubt of finding another job with
another company quickly if I wanted. -jobs are here-"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are one naive puppy. All you need to do is open your eyes and look
at what's happened to internal jobs. India now has over 80,000 IBM employees
in-country. Where do you think these 80,000 jobs came from. Just 2 years ago
the number was 53,000 employees in India. But you are right "- jobs are
here -" the jobs are here in Bangalore. -Eyes Opened-
Comment
06/15/08:
I received the info of the 80% - 85% offshoring targets from my manager. In
my opinion, I think he realizes he is SOL now, since he's been spilling the
beans on a bunch of things. He's told us privately, that he doesn't expect our
group to be around in 2 years. He's told us to beef up our skills and make sure
we are all marketable out in the real world. He also doesn't expect his own
job to be around in the future. -tai mai shue-
Comment
06/15/08:
To -peevedtothemax- If you're interested in an internal position, check out
the IBM database with the list of IBM assignments/jobs. If you don't know about
these two databases, your manager should know about them. I guess I'm really
at a loss for words at what you're saying. You have such a pessimistic view
on the future of the IBM internal technical jobs. I don't see it that way at
all and I definitely don't lose sleep about it and worry about it as much as
it you seem to. This is just a job that provides income. If I were to get laid
off tomorrow, I have no doubt of finding another job with another company quickly
if I wanted. -jobs are here-
Comment
06/14/08:
How many more years can you work for nothing ?!?!?! My
time is up soon and I'll make a nice exit for sure! -Dood-
Comment
06/13/08:
I do not believe I have ever heard anyone seriously say " Damn am I sorry
we unionized". -Exodus 2007-
Comment
06/13/08:
Anyone have any news for Canada? We got a few more Argentian and Indian collegues
this week and have been told to participate in a 'Global' Tchnical documentation
project (no conincidence the only ones contributing are from the western countries!)
- no surprise I suppose and IBM Canada is saving 100k a year by now taking away
the water coolers from most (eventually all) their sites too! - Isn't it the
law that they have to provide drinking water at their offices!? -DM-
Comment
06/13/08:
-jobs are here- wrote:"But we have no plans to oursource"
You
need to take off the blinders. You're living in a world of fantasy. Most all
internal and admin jobs at IBM will be sent elsewhere. -Been There-
Comment
06/13/08:
To "Tai Mai Shue," "jobs are here" and "peeved
to the max" - The
long term strategy is to offshore everything that can be. The IBM Global Account
is first on the block since there are no contracts prohibiting offshoring and
the reasoning that IBM can't effectively sell offshoring to SO contracts unless
the IBM Corporation is doing it ourselves. The executive levels within ITD are
ignoring the quality problems, lack of productivity issues, the high turnover
rates and the rapidly escalating pay in BRIC. Total denial. Even so, they aren't
so stupid that they think they could offshore all of the IGA work by the end
of 2008. If they did, major breakdowns would occur with a devastating impact
on the business. But every quarter, the execs will be relentlessly pushing to
reduce US headcount and will be demanding more work moving offshore. Every damn
quarter, they will be back for looking for more to cut and more to offshore.
Not unlike Chinese water torture for the survivors. Over time, the US jobs moved
offshore will become higher and higher skilled. operators, then system admins,
then IT specialists then lower-band project managers, then lower-band architects
and eventually the high band PMs and architects. Think year end 2010 as a more
reasonable target than 2008. Finally, this offshoring is not limited to IGS
and ITD - virtually everything is on the table for global integration and migration
to a low cost country. IBM US layoffs, counting the layoffs already executed
in the last 3 to 4 years and including the ones to come yet this year, in 2009
and in 2010 could reach 100,000 if they execute their plan. I believe they are
already behind plan because of the unanticipated issues noted above, so completion
by 2010 is in doubt. -Frank-
Comment
06/13/08:
OK jobsarehere.. tell me what project you are in..I am technical..
-peevedtothemax-
Comment
06/13/08:
To -tai mai shue- : 80 to 85% of IBM technical jobs may be offshored,
but not all technical jobs in the US. Since I left big blow, I am appreciated,
not over worked, and there are a lot of companies out there that do not offshore
jobs. I am constantly told what a great job I'm doing, "good work",
etc. Never once in my 9 years has a manager at big blow ever said anything to
me like that. -ra'd last may-
Comment
06/12/08:
To -tai mai shue- who mentions: "80 - 85% of all US technical
jobs will be offshored by the end of the year." To -peevedtothemax-
who mentions: "Well by the end of the year, all internal accounts will
be OFFSHORED."
I do not believe either of those statements. Look on Monster.com, Dice.com,
etc. There are plenty of U.S technical jobs. An IBMer I know posted his resume
out there and was getting replies for jobs every hour. He did leave IBM and
says he's glad he did. Our project is looking for some good technical people
(yes, it's an internal project), but we are not getting many resumes from our
job posting. We want people with good technical skills and good communication
skills. We've rejected some people who have a language barrier and are difficult
to understand and we've rejected some who don't have the strong technical skills.
But we have no plans to oursource. -jobs are here-
Comment
06/12/08:
80 - 85% of all US technical jobs will be offshored by the end of the year.
Stop waiting for the other shoe to drop and join the union people. Once it happens
to you it's too late. -tai mai shue-
Comment
06/12/08:
The funny thing is, I read in the papers that companies are offshoring because
of lack of qualified people to fill the jobs in the US. When I post a requirement
in India, it takes me an average of 2 months to fill it, because the people
here are not qualified to do it. If people are qualified to do the job, we have
to cow tow to their every whim so they do not leave. If you are looking for
a job here in Bangalore (and are qualified) you can find one very easily. The
offices for all the major US suppliers are all literally across the street from
each other here. So if workers here are fed up with IBM, they can literally
walk across the street to HP, Dell, Cicso, etc. -Anon In India-
Comment
06/11/08:
The latest from the btvrumormill has 300-500 people will be affected around
June 24th. Band 5 on up also LTS as well. Talk of 5-2 3 shift schedules for
eng/maint depts and finally mangers who do not have people to manage will be
axed. -btvrumormill-
Comment
06/11/08:
Well by the end of the year, all internal accounts will be OFFSHORED.. ALL of
MVS. if you have to log on a system to do your job, you can hang it up. From
a VERY reliable source.. -peevedtothemax-
Comment
06/10/08:
That's all we are hearing at the BTV plant are the lay off rumors. Temps and
some perms in 5-2 jobs are suppose to get cut. There hasn't been this much buzz
going on since the last big layoff happened. I guess only time will tell we
are not getting answers from any higher ups. -Rumormill-
Comment
06/09/08:
I heard from several reliable sources that around 500 employees will be cut
at the BTV site this summer, most likely July. Stay tuned. Hopefully the Alliance
can offer more information. -Joe- Comment
06/09/08:
To RA'd in May - you are so right about the IBM environment and while
there may be some
decent managers out there (very few), their hands are tied and they are doing
what they are told. They can't help themself let alone others. -goneanddidbetter-
Comment
06/09/08:
To Don't Shoot the Messenger: Selling off the Williston buildings would
be sort of strange. They're replacing the air handlers, one section of a building
at a time, over the next several years. If the plan were to sell them, either
doing nothing or selling after the major deficiencies were fixed would make
more sense. That doesn't mean it's not going to happen, just that it would be
like selling a house while you're in the middle of a renovation. There is a
lot of empty space on both sides of the river (Williston and Essex), so consolidation
would make sense (whether or not there are job cuts). -Willistonian-
Comment
06/08/08:
would love to know whats going on at the BTV plant... cant beleive all the rumors!
not sure whats reliable or not. you know some of what is said must be true but
it would be great to know what if anything is coming down and if LTS empolyees
are going to be hit as well. -Missy-
Comment
06/07/08:
To 103% utilization: You are actually still concerned about a PBC and are still
listening to what your manager is telling you? Have you been reading this site?
You can can work yourself to death if you want. Your manager is just telling
you that you'll never get the PBC you want because he's not allowed to give
it to you. He's telling you, no matter what, you'll never get better than a
2. I worked like a dog and never got better than a 2. PBC's are a joke. If you
want better pay, make sure everybody you know, knows about Alliance. Without
a union, don't be shocked if you get another 2 or 3 or get ra'd with the rest
of us. Remember, they can do whatever they want, and your manager is NOT your
friend, so don't treat him as such. He'll smile at you as he's pulling out the
knife. -RA'd_may2007-
Comment
06/05/08:
Reply to -why a union- Very
few companies have the revenue and business position to leverage that IBM has.
IBM WAS a great place to work and can be again. A union would force Greedy Executives
to invest some resources in employees instead of themselves. IBM as a corporate
entity can afford any change a union would want without any pain at all. In
reality why should a CEO get a 29 Million dollar Bonus and his employees nothing
in a profitable business. In these times a cost of living raise would be a great
help to ALL employees and not an unreasonable thing for IBM to provide because
they certainly can afford it. My last 10 raises in my 30 year career were most
certainly merit raises because they were far too small to be cost of living
raises and I was a 2 plus or a one . In the past year alone costs in Maryland
have gone through the roof. The Gas and electric company got 78 percent in rate
hikes and gas has climbed almost a buck a gallon and most IBMers in Maryland
will see less then 3 percent in raises in a company posting record profits.
A succesful organization of IBM will set the standard for the whole industry
and raise the quality of life for an awful lot of American workers. When you
hear workers talking about their proffesion and they say " Union scale
is XXX" thats leading the way and improving life for people. You seldom
if ever hear union scale being LESS then a company pays. Unions help define
the workplace for ALL American workers. IBM is not a doddering failing business
on the verge of collapse. IBM is a vibrant worldwide player making record profits
from the labors and sacrifices of its workforce yet pleading poverty to its
workforce when its raise time. Or benefits time. Or retirement time. Unless
you are an executive of course. -Exodus 2007-
Alliance reply:
Execllent answer Exodus 2007. I would add that any company is made 'great' by
it's employees; the ones who use the means of production to put out a quality
service or product. Thomas Watson Sr. once said to his employees during a dept.
meeting in Endicott, "Managers are a dime a dozen. You people are the ones
that keep this company going. You are all very important to this comany's success".
I know this, because my father heard those words directly from Thomas Watson
Sr. himself, at my father's dept. meeting, in 1956. At that time, IBM was making
sure that their employees knew that they were valuable, so that management didn't
have to worry about unions.
Comment
06/06/08:
My goals for next year include 103% utilization. My manager told me last week
that just meeting the goals will result in a rating of 2. IBM really wants people
to leave with these unrealistic goals. Majority of people in my group will a
3 next year due to business development team not able to close on deals (we
already several business development team members leave/retire/quit in the last
few weeks). I am barely hanging in right now. I hate working everyday knowing
the end is coming - no motivation right now. -Anonymous-
Comment
06/06/08:
To -why a union- : The reason to beef up the union is to make IBM what
it once was... a great company to work for! I
left Pig Blue last year after the May 2007 bloodbath of RAs. Based on several
top guns on my team being RA'd, I knew that my number would be up soon and I
chose to leave on MY terms, not Pig Blue's terms. The only way I would ever
reconsider a position there is if the existing employees banded together and
the Alliance actually became strong enough to put labor contracts in place where
the scum-sucking management team cannot send jobs overseas at the drop of a
hat. I spent nearly 9 years there. For several years, I was actually proud of
that. Now, it's become almost a disgrace to say "yes, I used to work for
IBM." I can't even say it without some disdain creeping through in my voice.
To those of you still there, PLEASE join the Alliance. Unfortunately, I never
knew the Alliance existed until after my job hunt began (and I found a new job
within 2 months). Had I known, I absolutely would have joined. So I will say
this again, make sure your coworkers know about the Alliance. It's too late
for me. I hope it's not too late for you all. -Mistressofthei5-
Comment
06/06/08:
To Why a Union: The reason for a union is to keep companies like big
blow from treating employees as bad as they do. Unfortunately this company is
so bad, it's far too late to fix anything. I agree with you to find another
job with a "good" company. I've been out of there over a year now
and I can tell you it is NOT worth it working at big blow. Other companies treat
you right, no worry about constant layoff, no more stress, no more OT, no more
pager, on call, the list goes on and on. I sleep well at night now. -Gone_A_Year_Now-
Comment
06/05/08:
The rumor mill is buzzing that there will be layoffs at the Burlington VT plant
this summer. I heard from a very credible source (my former 2nd level manager)
that IBM plans to pull out of the Williston buildings and sell them off. Williston
employees will move to the main site and there will be substantial layoffs as
part of restructuring and cost cutting. Best of luck to to all. -Don't
shoot the messenger-
Comment
06/05/08:
So tell me again why we need a union when just about everyone's comment on this
forum says IBM is one of the worst companies to work for? If it's one of the
worst companies to work for, then who cares if we get laid off; we'll just go
find a better company to work for. I don't see anything positive mentioned about
IBM here. If we're going to pay and fight to keep a job, let it be with a great
company. -why a union-
Comment
06/05/08:
08A Family - YOU
ARE IN THE SPOTLIGHT. I was RA'd last May. I still have plenty of friends all
through out the upper ranks within the blue pig.The PM's have been targeted
for quite a while. Most of them are band 8 and above and are pulling in more
money than what what the pig pays for contract PM's, so your next. IBM can get
skilled experienced PM's for aprox 60K to 80K MAX on the outside all day long.
Take into considersation that BRIC PM's are substainally cheaper than that.
There wwill be a sizeable reduction in PM's over the next 3 quarters. SO / ITD
will continue to bleed profusely. Unless your outsourcing contract is in litigation
for failing to meet the terms of the contract, your overstaffed. Thats the new
standard, not customer sat. Polish your resumes and start looking. Be prepared,
so when you do get ra'd, your leave with a smile. I wish I was more prepared,
so I didnt stress like I did, but I landed on my feet with more money and RESPECT..
something sorely missing in the blue pig. Remember when we had work life balance
and spirit? Remember when we had an across the board increase to retain folks?
Its over.. North American works are targeted. -former IBM'er-
Comment
06/05/08:
Hearing cuts are happening in Tivoli (Software Group) in RTP, NC -black&blueAllOver-
Comment
06/05/08:
Ok, I/T Specialists and SysAdmins are being phased out in the USA and go to
the BRIC and now PM's seemed to be next. Question:
what position or career path is a good career move in the USA in IBM now? Isn't
it clear folks we need a union to protect USA IBM jobs? -anonymous-
Comment
06/04/08:
I was on the AT&T Account Cycle Time Initiative Project before I was cut
due to funding. This is one messed up project. Duplication of work on both the
IBM and AT&T side with a push to off-shore most of the work. It's funny
that one of my managers on the project just got an IBM Technical Excellence
award from corporate - just amazing. -Aron-
Comment
06/03/08:
Yes - Project Managers are in the spotlight for off-shoring. Not a good career
move if you're in the US, unless you want to be layed off. -miss understandgin-
Comment
06/03/08:
As im sure you are all aware the dublin plant is losings its I/P series assembly
operations to china. We have been predicting this for the last 2 years. It looks
like the end is coming. We have been told Jan 09 with a major announcement due
in october....so guys any info pls reply. -Cisco101-
Comment
06/03/08:
ABIW - Yes, the reports I hear is that we're far too short on PMs so they will
move foreign PMs to be the TPMs managing the GR's. US based PM's will be forced
to be more business and customer centric and be expected to travel 100% of time.
I also heard one of our cores has offered to take over all US PM slots and promise
to deliver 20%+ reduction in costs. -PMs Get Ready-
Comment
06/02/08:
June 2, 2008 2pm EDT - IBM just announced a move of "Classic SBC"
(AT&T Account) jobs from USA to Brazil. IBM began cS account on 12/1/2007.
I'm told these folks were guarenteed a job for only 6 months. About 350 to 400
employees came over from the "new" AT&T (the former SBC after
buying AT&T). No USA employees will be offered jobs in Brazil. IBM claims
this is not a "resource action". IBM claims it is a "global company"
and uses this as an excuse to offshore jobs. No individuals have yet been selected
for offshoring. People were told today but no one knows which individuals will
be targeted. Transition starts June 1, 2008 - May 2009. IBM employees are expected
to train their new counterparts in Brazil. Managers of people affected once
again are doing nothing to stop this. They are merely pawns in the corporate
torture chamber known as IBM. -Next On The List-
Alliance reply: A news reporter is looking to interview any former IBM employee
who had to train their offshore replacement and then lost their job.
Contact the Alliance at allianceibmunion@gmail.com
with your name and phone number.
Comment
06/02/08:
I heard today that there is a huge move to outsource some of the Project Managers.
Has anyone heard anything similar??? -ABIW-
Comment
06/02/08:
I am hearing more job cut notifications going out tomorrow June 3rd from HR
to Managers. I know Tivoli is being Impacted and other units. I verified this
with a IBM manager and he stated he gets his email from HR tomorrow letting
him know it is okay to let people know. -Anon-US-Tiv-
Comment
06/01/08:
Good Luck to all my friends from printers in your new positions in Ricoh. Unionize
now so you have a say in your future. Stop the abuse before it becomes standard
operating procedures. Your position will never be stronger then it is right
now to organize. -Exodus 2007-
Comment
06/01/08:
To "wantapackage" : How
did you make out? I also have heard mixed messages on this -
1) If you ask for a pkg then forget it, you won't get one. More or less a result
of reverse-self-selection and
2) Since mgmt. is under pressure to cut, it makes more "sense" to
cut those that WANT to go so as to save moral... this is something perhaps a
rational manager would do but then again many managers these days are not rational,
and indeed you might be one of the more valued team members and thus... "Why
would IBM pay you to quit?" Anyway... let us know eh? Thanks! -Anon-
Comment
06/01/08:
Over the years I have been cut 3 times and had my exit interview set. All three
times I found a job. It has been harder each time to keep a job. It is almost
impossible to get a job in the time given. If you can move to DC, they are hiring
people. Do not hesitate on applying for jobs. People will help you with your
resume, but you have to "ask" them to review and give you feedback.
Make up a folder containing (1) cover letter (2) resume (3) additional information
about your skills and training. I got my last folders at Walgreens! Deliver
this folder to the hiring manager. (Hand deliver if possible.) If you get an
interview, "hand write" a thank you note and get it to the interviewing
manager. "Do not wait for a response on the jobs posting, apply and immediately
contact the hiring manager" If you need your job, be willing to step down
a band level or relocate. I have done both. I know the hopeless feeling and
rejection. It is hard to smile and be a friendly face ..."a person is more
than a job." One other thing, ask your mgr for the name of the HR person
for your org. Contact that person and ask them for help and advise. Even if
they do not want to talk to you ... call them back! Work on looking for a job
with the same intensity you put into your job each day. Apply inside/outside
of IBM also with the same intensity. EAP is free and helped me in setting my
priorities straight. Use all the resources you have at hand and consider a trip
to the dentist to improve that winning smile. Join the alliance, if you are
not already a member. : - ) Everyone reading this alliance site needs to join
so we can support each other. -Anon-Texas-
Comment
05/30/08:
To all of you who have been given 30 days to find a job- you wont find a job
internally - the intent is to get you out not move you around..BUT take a moment
to thank the manager because they did you a favor - your life outside of IBM
will be 100 times better. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE -goneanddidbetter-
Comment
05/30/08:
I agree with Been There - Don't bother looking inside of IBM, you won't find
anything. Your manager tells you to look and there are jobs, but they won't
be filled by the people being released. I left over a year ago under the same
circumstances and it couldn't have worked out better. Same with another person
working at the same location both then and now. Enjoy your life - go ahead and
take your severence pay - and look for another position with another company.
There are many better companies than IBM that respect and appreciate their employees.
Don't burn your bridges, stay friends with your manager, and leave happy. You
will see that this will be the best move for you. You might even get a job with
higher pay than while you were at IBM and you will certainly get a job where
they appreciate your contribution. -Gone-For-Good-
Comment
05/29/08:
"My manager informed me last week I have 30 days to find another job
in IBM or I will be released. I did not get any hint from my manager how to
look for another job. I have been trying to search on ibm.com but trying to
get anything useful from that site is impossible. Any help would be appreciated."
Sorry to say this but your days are over with IBM. You will not get another
job internally. You are damaged goods and all managers in IBM know that but
won't tell you. If you find another job within IBM and apply the hiring manager
will not contact you. Don't let IBM ruin your self esteem. There is a big world
outside of IBM and you will eventually get back on your feet and do fine. Good
luck with your career. -Been There-
Comment
05/29/08:
Ref: -Quiet in vermont- OK - this sounds familiar - What have you done for me
lately? The Alliance can't do anything because it has not unionized IBM. It
keeps trying, but folks like this want to get something before they give something.
Kinda like IBM - but who scratches the back first? Why not just sit back and
wait for someone to do something for you, then MAYBE you will decide to participate.
I guess there are 2 kinds of folks: people and sheeple. You see what's happening
around you. Don't you? Do you want to do something about it or not? If not,
then just sit back and wait for IBM to do "something" for you.
-Neal Watkins-
Comment
05/29/08:
layoffs start tomorrow at ibm east fishkill.band 5 and up are targeted...good
luck everyone... -flipper-
Comment
05/29/08:
I can tell all of you from working directly with a manager for many years, doing
the managers job, when it comes to cuts, they are the ones who pick and choose.
If you are not a pet, you will definitely get it. It is definately a favorites
game out there and if your manager doesn't like you, you're history. It makes
no difference how hard you worked, how much OT you put in, what your joke of
a PBC was. It's a matter of revenge if you ever challenged your manager. I've
seen it too many times, heard the remarks from my manager about this one or
that one is a trouble maker or too outspoken so he's history. Suck up and you
may survive a while. Challenge the manager in any way, and you're out the door.
More cuts coming we all hear. -Hegedus-
Comment
05/29/08:
I have ben reading your comments fot quite a long time to get an idea of what
is going on in IBM. my wurstion to you is that you want everyone to join but
can you tell me what have you actaully done to help any one of us from being
layed off? Give me 5 examples wha you have done for a paid member to save his/her
job? I'm just totally curious. -Quiet in vermont-
Alliance reply: We can not stop layoffs at this point because we do not have
a union contract nor enough employees to tell IBM "no layoffs". The
Alliance is an organizing campaign and employee advocate. Our members see the
need to keep the heat on IBM and therefore step up to the plate and voluntarily
pay dues to support the Alliance organization and employees and their issues,
even for the employees that don't contribute.
If you want more of the same at IBM, by all means don't join. But if you want
respect for employees returned, some dignity on the job and a process that determines
if layoffs are really needed then join us and get your co-workers to join as
well.
Comment
05/28/08:
I received a 30-days notice and from what I read here so many are true from
my own experience with ibm managers...They are a bunch of liars. -Really_Pissed-
Comment
05/28/08:
To Seen it: I was rather emotional when I wrote that, however, my critical
thinking skills have since kicked in. I found out many many things that are
not just bad business, but against the law. I encourage each of you to PAY ATTENTION
TO EVERYTHING YOU RECEIVE. Also, check your Lotus workspaces, see if you have
workspaces added, but have no idea as to what they are for. Check those for
items of your supposed responsibility, or requiring your action. Sometimes,
just sometimes, you will find the smoking gun you were looking for. You would
be surprised (probably not if you have been around this shithole for any length
of time) what you will find, especially written, that is against the law (not
state, city or county, but FEDERAL) To close this thought, I know I am marked,
and will not find a job internally. The data I had on the original point can
be framed to favor my manager. However, databases, email commitments, career
paths, and violations of federal laws cannot be framed. Nor can they state any
action was taken on employee performance, or other items. Violation of federal
law instantly discredits IBM (imagine that) and throws out any allegations IBM
tries to use--poor performance etc) I have been told to lay low, do what is
asked of me during my separation, and keep my mouth shut (not by IBM management,
but on professional advise I solicited) ) Keep this in mind also, FORCE you
manager to address any RA related actions with you via email. If they are stupid
enough to do it, all the better. If not, if you choose to speak to your manager
on this subject, document every word said, and send it back out as email. Be
detailed without overkill, AND KEEP THE EMOTION out of it. I can't wait for
my last day. And take every stinking day off you have coming....your manager
will find a way to screw you out of it. And since your managers won't talk to
you after they RA you (afraid being included in a lawsuit I guess) I doubt they
will even care what you are doing, if anything. AND GIVE BACK THAT ENTIRE CUSTOMER
FILE TO YOUR PROJECT TEAM, and spend the rest of the time doing what you were
told to do. Search for a new job internally, but prepare to separate from IBM.
I guess this is how the slaves felt when Lincoln freed them (not meant to be
racial., sorry if I hurt a feeling or two) PISSED OFF IS NOW DANCING
MY WAY ALL THE WAY TO ARUBA......paid for due to travel points and air miles.
Thanks IBM!!!!! And thanks for the making decision for me, I should have made
myself, years ago. However, I am not going quietly. I will post another update
later on and let you know what shook out of this. -Pissed Off-
Comment
05/28/08:
Full of Irony but Happy.. I want to congratulate you on your comment
to management in front of your team members. It sounds like it was done with
professionalism. Those actions will be remembered by those who were unable to
step up and join you with those comments. IBM has turned into such a sweatshop.
Its management by fear and intimidation now. Management is playing with people's
lives and seems to enjoy, or should I say, relish the chance to inflict such
pain on people's lives. Its a power trip for most. The lay offs will be heavy
in GBS - ITD for the next few quarters. The push is on to get everyone off the
North American Payroll. Sizeable push to get rid of 08A PM's as well. They are
contracting those folks cheaper than the internal cost. The push is to get a
50 / 50 split, at the most on IBM'ers versus Contractors. Contractors are performing
to the lowered expectations that IBM has. Contractors have the carrot in front
of them of the hope to join IBM, so they are not jaded by the BS for the most
part. Look for a major push for Spirit and Worklife balance initiatives .. joking..
Work life balance and spirit incentives are only in the very upper ranks of
the ivory tower. Take your time with work.. get as much education as you can.
Polish up your resume so when you do get RA'd, which most folks will, you can
laugh and collect the severance check and move to a better company. -Former
IBMer-
Comment
05/28/08:
You can continue to be victims or you can take your own future into your hands.
Join the Alliance, quit complaining and start taking unified action. I left
Big Blue a year ago, once you are on the RA list it is impossible to find a
job internally, your best hope is that someone ranked a 1 in your group finds
a job outside of your organization, but then you are still just stuck there
waiting for the next cost saving action to take your job. Is that really any
way to live. -smiley-
Comment
05/27/08:
Heard today big cuts in STG will be announced week of June 23. Salary
increases, if any, won't be announced until after the cuts and will be retroactive
to June 1. -Mike-
Comment
05/27/08:
NEWSFLASH. Dateline reality. To
those who are shocked that their first line and second line managers do not
help them find better jobs within IBM. Guess who selected you to be RA-d. Helping
you find another job would be like saying they or another manager made a mistake.
Ain't never gonna happen. Managers can not make mistakes in IBM because there
is no UNION to hold them accountable through the grievence process. Thats why
a manager will always smugly tell you if you don't like it quit. They KNOW you
have no recourse anymore. Open door, speak up, HR etc are a joke. Use them in
todays IBM and you are saying fire me next. Good luck to all in these trying
times. Live better, work union. defined seniority, defined benefits , defined
payraises, defined pensions, defined work hours. Whats not to like? Do not delude
yourself that by standing alone within IBM that you are somehow an entrepreneur
or are better off. You work for a company that only accepts lock step rigid
compliance with their wishes so why not hold them to lock step rigid employment
practices defined by a contract. Seems fair to me. Realize that even one performers
do not always get a raise. I was a one two years in a row but got no raise because
" what little money was in the raise bucket for our territory had to go
to the young folks to retain them." Gee, How about allocating enough money
to give ALL who deserve a raise a decent one. No way, that might take a dollar
out of an executives bonus. IBM does not and has not"PLAYED FAIR"
for years. Stop holding your breath waiting for it cuz your all turning a funny
shade of Blue. Maybe thats why the company is called BIG BLUE. -Exodus
2007-
Comment
05/26/08:
I'm in sales. I
got my performance RA package (minimized ISAP) from my manager the same day
I got my 2007 Hundred Percent Club pin! The pin came inside an unlabeled box
in a manila envelope with the address of some unknown staff guy in Conn. My
name was misspelled in the address. Luckily DHL figured it out and delivered
both packages to the same address at the same time. What's left inside is just
a bunch of sheeple. I feel good to have built up the courage to tell my management
I had lost confidence in them in front of 200 of my colleagues. That cost me
my job, but I regained my dignity and earned the respect of my colleagues and
customers for being strong and standing for my primciples as I see them.
-Full of Irony
but Happy-
Comment
05/26/08:
To: My manager informed me..
Don't bother looking. The system is setup to make it nearly impossible
for you to find another job within IBM. They want to shed headcount, and unfortunately,
your head is being counted. -irRational-
Comment
05/26/08: I
read all these messages from all of you wishing that you will be RA'd or wishing
you were on the outsource list so that you would get some kind of package and
yet you still complain about the treatment you receive. You are nothing but
sheep! I left last year. 2 weeks after by QCC dinner. No regrets! If you do
not take control of your life then don't complain. Yea..we all have choices.
But who's making them??? You or them!. -Quit Blue 1 year ago-
Comment
05/26/08: To:
My manager informed me last week I have 30 days: --
Let me give you the best advice you can get... Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com,
Dice.com. Looking inside IBM is a waste of time. You have been marked for termination
and nobody will touch you. Just remember, there is live after IBM.. -I_had_30_days_too-
Comment
05/25/08: My
manager informed me last week I have 30 days to find another job in IBM or I
will be released. I did not get any hint from my manager how to look for another
job. I have been trying to search on ibm.com but trying to get anything useful
from that site is impossible. Any help would be appreciated. -Anonymous-
Comment
05/24/08: Jobs
cuts huh? Dudes, life does go on ... I really hope they lay me off because this
place really is a prision. It's hell man, lay me off I'll have access to my
retirement and have a chance to make a move and better myself, it's just a job
man, I cant stay here forever. I'd like to contribute to the alliance, but how
can i with a 20 cent an hr raise in the most expensive places to live in the
country? ??! You tell me, I'm not gonna be choked to death here. So, I do hope
they lay me off so I can move on to the next step in life. I know there is better
out there, and I'm sick of IBM being jerks and rip offs to everyone. -james-
Comment
05/23/08: To:
OKIE.. Number 1, IBM LIES, LIES, LIES, NOTHING BUT LIES FROM THEM.....Make
it easier on yourself, do not believe on thing they say. If one grain of truth
makes it through..ok., but ASSUME THEY ARE TELLING YOU EVERYTHING BUT THE TRUTH...I
have never seen anything like the double talk lies from the IBM managers.
-Anonymous-
Comment
05/23/08: To
anon- sue the managers: In the end, it was a blessing in disguise for me. I
got out of a horrible company, banked 5 months of severance, got a much better
job, starting the week after I left big blow, and then a couple months later
got a fat check for the overtime lawsuit. In the end, I got the last laugh.
-Anonymous-
Comment
05/22/08: >>"My
manager and second line would not even respond to my emails in that last 30
days. It was a total joke. When I confronted my manager on my exit interview
about this, he just shrugged his shoulders when asked why didn't he answer my
emails for 30 days."
Maybe this is a wrong, wacky idea, but ... in order to receive your severance
you agree not to sue IBM. But what about suing individual people? If both your
1st and 2nd lines ignored your emails and willingly prevented you from finding
another job within the company, why not drag them into court? -Anonymous-
Comment
05/21/08: Looks
like more job cuts are on the way. Are you going to sit there and wait for it
to happen or are you going to get off your butts and do something about it?
If you are not yet an Alliance Member, then sign up right now. If you don’t
sign up, then you deserve to get what ever IBM throws at you next (and I’m
willing to bet it ain’t going to be a substantial raise). -Wake
Up And Smell The Coffee-
Comment
05/20/08: IBM
east fishkill is going to have a large layoff at the end of june i hear. 400
to 500 people. They just laid off alot of manpower employees and after they
lay off the ibm employees they are going to rehire the manpower people. They
had to lay off manpower first before ibm employees. They are holding off raises
until the end of june. Manpower employees get no benefits and a lousy 4 vacation
days a year. Record profits, increased stock dividends and they keep playing
games with hard working employees life. -Anonymous-
Comment
05/20/08: To
Frank: In my last 30 days I applied for 6 positions that I was well qualified
for. Not only could I not get my manager to even budge to help me one bit, but
I only got one rejection. The other 5 didn't even bother to respond to my application
in 30 days. My manager and second line would not even respond to my emails in
that last 30 days. It was a total joke. When I confronted my manager on my exit
interview about this, he just shrugged his shoulders when asked why didn't he
answer my emails for 30 days. It was a complete joke. On my way out the door
I said, thanks for nothin! -I_had_30_days_too-
Cross
post from PBC comments section: Comment
5/19/08:
My
entire mgmt chain consists of phd's with h1b visas. I had a big project I had
support for, was developing, then, they said the project was "canceled".
When asked why it was because it "was not good enough".. Got a PBC
rating of 3. Contested the PBC - and officially lost.. however - one of the
committee members said they felt very sorry and thought I was treated unfairly.
My entire h1b management chain lied and supported each other.. eventually though,
I was able to fully document their lies.. My managers claimed to have submitted
my main project; but, instead buried it and lied about it's submission. I was
the only american in the group. Any relevant work was shared with the other
h1b visa's and the americans were isolated and sabotaged. Nobody talks about
this - but there is a caste system at IBM.. especially in research. In some
groups - if you are an american - you are caste out.
-Caste in Research-
Alliance reply: We are very glad that YOU are talking about this. These kinds
of incidents would not occur with a union contract. If you had a union contract,
you would have had the right to address the unfair PBC with the help of a grievance
committee, made up of your union co-workers. You also would have had help investigating
the company's actions, in regard to the 'canceled' project. Contact your political
representatives and let them know about the management chain of H1b visas. Politicians
need to know that this is just one of the many negatives of raising the H1b
visa limit. Whatever you have documented, hang on to it. In the meantime, make
every effort to organize your co-workers. We realize that this may seem insurmountable;
however, if you don't fight back by organizing, IBM will get away with this
in EVERY USA location. Join us and let us help you and your co-workers to fight
back. This is a prime example of why Alliance@IBM needs to continue and needs
funding to continue.
Comment
05/18/08: layoffs
coming again in Fishkill next month.. Really big I hear!! X IBMer...-B-
Comment
05/18/08: To
-"I had 30 days too"- If you have skills
that are in demand, it is possible to get another job within IBM - I've seen
it done a few times. The odds are definitely stacked against you, but there
is a chance.
-Frank-
Comment
05/16/08: To
those of you being told you have 30 days to find another position"within"
the company, use that time to find a job "outside" the company. Believe
what I tell you...NOBODY in that company will even look at you. Been there done
that. Use the next 30 days 8 hours a day, or more, looking. You are marked for
termination!! Without a UNION, you have no chance and are treated unfairly by
companies like big blow. -I_had_30_days_too-
Comment
05/16/08: I
am seeing jobs going away, and new job postings for Job Title + Intern; like
Project Manager-Intern. Now if they hire interns for IBM customer projects (at
a reduced rate) do you think that these savings are passed along to the customers?
I think not. So they are not only ruining the workforce but damaging quality.
Sad. -green mile-
Comment
05/16/08: IBM
cuts jobs in Tulsa. Wasn't a recent IBM stockholder's meeting (2006) there?
Didn't IBM then say it was committed to keeping IBM jobs local there?
-okie-
Comment
05/15/08: monday
and tuesday IBM laid off IGS and SO employees this week Th 