LITTLE

James Little, a 15-year veteran of the IBM Corp. workplace, described himself as "a company man" who had not intended to speak out against his former employer at a forum Thursday night.

Nevertheless, he said Friday, he found himself compelled to walk to a microphone and tell 80 people and a panel headed by U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., something that had been troubling him for a long time.

IBM coerced workers into stifling complaints of chemical exposure on the job, he said. "Placing workers on chemical lines was used as punishment for those who made waves," he said.

"I'm a company man. I really am. It broke my heart," he said Friday. "But when you see those things, you have to come forward. I think when there is a problem, it has to be talked about and changes have to be made."

He was on vacation Friday and was expecting to return to his job next week as a process specialist at Endicott Interconnect Technologies, IBM's successor. He is unsure how, as a whistle-blower, he will be received by workers and bosses, many of them longtime colleagues from the IBM years.

"Sure, I'm worried," said Little. He didn't sleep much Thursday night.

Little was one of several people whose amplified voices filled the auditorium with similar stories about operations at the former microelectronics plant in Endicott -- a place where worker loyalty and pride ran deep, and public criticism was seldom heard.

The accusations were met with applause from about 80 people who attended the forum, which featured a panel of health, legal and union specialists invited by Hinchey, a Saugerties Democrat. IBM was not included.

Little said the forum presented an opportunity for people like him, who might otherwise remain silent, to tell their stories.

Todd Martin, an IBM spokesman, had no comment on the allegations made at the meeting. In the past, he has said IBM meets and exceeds all regulatory guidelines regarding workplace safety.

Little, along with others at the meeting, said that is not so.

"I didn't intend to say anything at the meeting," he said. "I'm kind of shy and all of the attention was pretty overwhelming. But I realized my embarrassment was minuscule compared to the cause" of worker safety.

Endicott Interconnect has taken steps to improve conditions that encouraged abuse, he said.

William Deprospo, a lawyer representing workers suing IBM on claims related to chemical exposure in the workplace, was a panel member at Thursday's meeting. He will be reviewing claims made by Southern Tier IBM workers who came forward during or after the meeting to seek his help, he said Friday.

^^  Back to top | E-mail this story to a friend | Special Offer - 40% off - Subscribe Now!

Previous Story | Return to News index | Next Story

© 2004 Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service (updated 12/17/02)

Problem with this site, please contact the webmaster.