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Here
are the latest Comments
from IBM employees:
Comment
07/24/08:
I
agree with anonymous - Don't pick on Happy Blue. It's always great to see another
convert. Perhaps he can help when it comes to clarifying what IBM is really
up to and what mgmt is thinking. I'd like to welcome Happy Blue. -miss
understanding-
Alliance
reply:
We
agree that it is good to see someone join our comments section. That doesn't
mean they will be joining Alliance@IBM. We hope they do. However, we receive
posts from many anti-union points of view, as well. Sometimes those views are
not printable, for many reasons; one of which is libel. We welcome any non-management
IBM employee, IBM retiree, contractor or former IBM employee to comment here
and to join our discussions as well as become a dues paying member. We will
not reveal who our members names are; nor reveal their
email addresses or
any other personal information without their expressed written consent. We welcome
"Happy Blue"'s contribution.
Comment
07/23/08:
why
pick on -Happy Blue- now? This site is open to ex-managers, just not current
IBM managers. Ex-managers who have no "hring or firing" duties can
join the Alliance and we should welcome them. -anonymous-
Comment
07/23/08:
HAPPYBLUE- "Just found this site after leaving IBM in June. I had 39 years
and the last 15 in management. " You
JUST found this site after 39 years with IBM? You must have just started using
a computer, too. Typical IBM manager. -anon-
Comment
07/23/08:
Thanks for links on landed resources, but these really are not saying
much. Understood Global Resources and India are involved. Not clear is if they
are visa holders like L1 and H1B or also permanent residents, etc. -anonymous-
Comment
07/23/08:
I was a lucky winner, and was asked to participate in the current Pulse
Survey. Needless to say, in light of the pension freeze, FHA boondoggle, 15
percent pay cut, zero raise (as opposed to the ridiculous perks our executives
receive), and the constant Resource Actions we endure, I had no choice but to
flat line my response at Very Dissatisfied. -IBM Slave-
Comment
07/23/08:
"Landed Resources" go here ...
http://www.slideshare.net/ChrisE/world-and-business-technology-outlook-in-2015/
and then go to slide #15 -Google for answers-
Comment
07/22/08:
-Mistressofthei5- If
you bought them as part of the employee stock purchase plan Computershare (formerly
called EquiServe) is the transfer agent for IBM stock. Contact them: http://www.equiserve.com/
-sby_willie-
Comment
07/22/08:
Anon RE: Landed Resources. You have likely found your answer by now.
If not:
http://www.ebizvitals.com/cms/content/indian-%2526%2523039%3Blanded-resources%2526%2523039%3B-phenomenon
Never good news.-BlueBlows-
Comment
07/22/08:
Mistressofthei5 - You can manage your ESPP shares at the Computershare
web site.
https://www-us.computershare.com/Employee/Login/CompanyIntroduction.aspx?lang=en&issuerid=SCUSIBM&cc=US
You
can sell them and have the check mailed to you. I would recommend that you DO
NOT use the "Batch" option (I forget exactly what they call it). It
basically means they'll wait to sell your shares until they can bundle them
with shares from other employees. This will often mean that YOU don't get the
best price. -joseywales-
Comment
07/22/08:
To: Mistressofthei5 - Let me teach you how to dispose the IBM stocks
you don't want to own - donate them to a charity or simply throw them into trash
can. -Charity-
Comment
07/22/08:
Mistressofthei5, you need to go here to sell your stocks from ESPP.
https://www-us.computershare.com/Employee/Login/CompanyIntroduction.aspx
-anon-
Comment
07/22/08:
LANDED resource by definition is IBM Global Services India, AMS Software
Export (IGSI) that are physically located in the United States. So not only
are our jobs being shipped off, but now we are being replaced by India staff
in the US. -anon-
Comment
07/22/08:
HAPPYBLUE..You sound like a Manager that has done awful things to his
employees.You are HAPPY that you can afford to retire after probably giving
the shaft to your Employees.This sight is for workers not Management or Ex-Management..Go
find a place that will accept You... -Anonibm-
Comment
07/22/08:
Does this mean that out of the ~350,000 employees at IBM world wide,
the Alliance would need 210,000 members? With 400 members, this would mean 209,600
members shy??? -re-anon-
Alliance
reply:
Not world wide, no. The United States only. IBM has had unions and works councils
in Europe and Japan for many years. They continue to negotiate and win bargaining
decisions for their union members. Alliance@IBM wants, at least, the same bargaining
capability as they have. The Employee Free Choice Act, if passed, would help
reduce the fear that many workers have about joining a union.
Sign
the petition!
Comment
07/22/08:
I'm sorry for this tangent of a question, but can someone tell me how
I can dump the few shares of IBM stock I own? Several
years ago, I joined their employee stock purchase plan and accumulated just
a few shares (maybe 18.5) before I bailed out. I'd rather throw my money elsewhere.
I still have these stocks and I cannot own them anymore. I get physically ill
whenever my teensy-little dividend check comes in. I'd rather just dump them
and not be part of this problem. I can't reconcile in myself the fact that I
am an "owner" of a tiny little piece of this Godforsaken company that
I so detest. Can someone provide this stock novice with some guidance? Thanks!
I apologize for interrupting this website, but I don't know who else to ask.
-Mistressofthei5-
Comment
07/21/08:
Help me out here. What does IBM mean by "landed resources"?
I'm guessing that means foreigners under the h-1b or L1 visas only that work
here, or is it also or only green card permanent workers? I saw an IBM document
that says the target percent to achieve for domestic workers is 10-20% (the
remaining being GR global resources), and that if 20%, then it is 15% landed
resources and 5% domestic. Can you tell me specifically what it does mean and
not a guess? -Anonymous-
Comment
07/21/08:
How many members does the Alliance have? When can action (voting) take
place? I've been contemplating on joining and have been a subscriber for some
time now. When can we hope for action. I've got almost 10 years total with IBM,
3 as a contractor and I'm so sad how this company, that I wanted to retire from,
is just letting me and everyone I work with down with what seems like no hope
for a future at all. -anon-
Alliance
reply: We
have about 6,000 total members and subscribers. Of that total, about 400 are
dues paying members. The number fluctuates with each passing job cut
that IBM initiates, and each IBM employee that quits and leaves. Action or voting
will take place when we have the numbers of signed cards that designate Alliance@IBM
CWA as their collective bargaining representative. We will then contact the
NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) and file for an election. In order to
get approval from the NLRB, we need a MINIMUM of 30% of the employees to sign
cards. It's the law. Generally, CWA and most other unions do not request an
election until they have 60% signed cards. The only way to get those numbers
is for YOU to organize your co-workers, and get them to organize other IBM employees.
The Action of the subscribers and members is what must take place. The union
is made up of employees like you. Help grow the membership and organize. If
you do nothing, nothing will change that 'future' you mentioned.
Join
The Alliance as a member!
Comment
07/20/08:
Just found this site after leaving IBM in June. I had 39 years and the
last 15 in management. I have had a great career and felt it was time to move
on. Hopefully I can contribute to some of the questions and concerns raised
on this site. Being on a PBC 1 my management was surprised that I would leave.
I just felt it was time after I put together the last ranking. I guess I was
just tired or burned out with the process, but now I don't have to worry about
that and look forward to a good retirement. Thanks -Happy Blue-
Comment
07/20/08: This
article describes exactly what IBM did - delibrately spread rumors misleading
employees about the state of the business in May and June to justify poor 2008
raises. Either IBM management has no understanding of the state of the business
or it was a delibrate attempt to mislead employees prior to announcing extraordinary
earnings.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/weekinreview/20glater.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=whispering+with+intent&st=nyt&oref=slogin
It would be interesting to know if employees cashed out options or changed their
Employee Stock Purchase Plan selection based upon their managers telling them
that IBM's outlook for 2008 was dismal. It just seems incredible to me that
IBM could tell 2 different sets of stockholders (employees and the street) such
different information one month apart. I would think the SEC should investigate
why IBM delibrately mislead their employee stockholders. Other views?
-Anonymous-
Comment
07/19/08:
what will the deal with ibm & new york mean for ibm here in vt ???
rumors already started -ibmer burlington-
Comment
07/18/08: Gadfly
- You got 2%? Consider yourself in the top 10% of all employees. Most received
1% or nothing at all. -miss understanding-
Comment
07/18/08: I
guess everyone saw SJP's communication. Here it is on CNN:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/17/technology/IBM_earns.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008071717
I certainly am feeling a lot better about my 2% raise! Can anybody tell me why
we have not unionized this company?
I am so disgusted I could spit.... -gadfly-
Comment
07/18/08: This
email was received today from IBM HR. Maybe you can show low salaried college
students what a bright future they have at IBM - resource actions and no jobs
for those of us left at the job posting websites. When they get a little older,
if hired by IBM, they will have all our fun of fearing job loss to those younger
and cheaper. So take the following challenge:
Are you a fan of YouTube? Want to show your creative side and make an impact
on the next generation of GBS consultants? Take the 2008 Video Challenge for
GBS. Our University Recruiting team is challenging you (GBS Consultants) to
use your creativity to show college students nationwide what it’s like
to be a consultant at IBM. Explain in a two to five minute video the benefits
of an IBM consulting career and why college candidates should join GBS. Selected
videos will be showcased in college recruiting this fall to help attract the
best and brightest on campus. Winners will also be awarded great prizes:
1st prize winner receives a $3000 cash reward
2nd prize winner receives a $2000 cash reward
3rd prize winner receives a $1000 cash reward
Just post your video on YouTube, using private group name, "IBM Recruiting
Challenge Group" from now until August 31, 2008. Winners will be announced
on September 15, 2008. Get the complete details on the GBS U.S. Video Challenge
2008 and enter your video! For more information, please contact Shae Moore.
-anonymous-
Comment
07/15/08: NYS
can afford $140,000,000 for IBM so: http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=703541
Gov. Paterson: can you give me a grant as a NY state taxpayer so I can stay
and work in NY? I'm not asking nearly as much as IBM: just something resembling
a raise or cost of living increase that I didn't get from IBM this year.
-anonymous-
Comment
07/15/08: MR
IBM what is the page? -anotherIBMserial#-
Comment
07/14/08: CHECK
OUT MY PAGE, PROMOTE IT BROTHER -MR IBM-
Alliance reply: Please contact us here: Contact Us
We need to
know more information, before we print your link.
Comment
07/08/08: Have
those of you in IGS noticed the new industry buzzword and IBM"programe
de jour"? It's ITIL! (Info Technology Infastructure Library) Interestingly
enough, IGS management is using the same lame excuses to gain employee buy in
that they used for ISO 9000. You know, "ITIL conformance is required on
85% of new contracts, competitor's are leveraging it" blah blah blah! ITIL
SCHMITIL!! No raise, no ITIL! And
whatever happened to ISO?? When was the last time you had a dept meeting where
THAT was a topic of discussion?? Same thing will happen with ITL because the
managment lemmings will buy some other phony program from some other think tank.
What a joke.
-Da
Catboid-
Comment
07/08/08:
Re:
sell IBM, Look at the prices they sold their stocks for? $128, $127, $125? I
would be nervous if they sold at $90 - $110, but not at the prices listed. Insider
trading? Probably. But either way, you have to sell IBM at anything over $120.
Any $1 over $120 is just an added bonus. It may go back down around $110 within
the next 2 months, but that's the market and can be predicted by anyone. I don't
blame anyone who is selling IBM right now, because it is one of the few stocks
that is still doing half-way decent. All the other stocks in my 401 took a dive
over the past year except for IBM. I'll probably sell mine too tomorrow when
we get up to $124. -Ben-
Comment
07/07/08:
Gadfly:
Excellent post!! A very long time ago,(during IBM's heyday of downsizing in
the early 1990's) I was watching CNBC, and I saw some talking head who said
"When are America's CEO's going to get the fact that they cant save
their way to a profit? A company can only grow by selling more of its goods
and services."
I have 50 bucks that says that talking head wasn't a Harvard MBA. Couldn't have
been. All that statement was, was good old common sense. Seems to me there's
a shortage of that in the IBM executive ranks these days -Da Catboid-
Comment
07/06/08:
i
never hear how close ibm is, to going union. i have also been told, ibm burlington
has very few paid union members. -ibmvt-
Alliance reply: While it is true there are not many dues paying Members we do
have a few hundred supporters who have joined. Be aware that we need a strong
majority of manufacturing and facilities employees to join the Alliance as either
a member or supporter before we can petition the Labor Board for an election.
Just because there is a strong sentiment for "going Union" doesn't
make it happen. There is a procees that must be followed. Have you joined yet?
Comment
07/06/08:
I'm no inisider
but in my honest opinion I would sell IBM stock now. My reason? Look at the
Yahoo IBM inisider site. The IBM execs and officers are cashing out like mad
now. Obviously they know to take their money or invest their money elsewhere
and that is not in IBM! No real stock buying going on it appears just cashing
out of options fueled obviously by billion and billions in absurd stock buybacks.
-sell IBM-
Comment
07/06/08: -ID
theft coming- Yeah, you are right on! Me not surprised they did it. We aren't
employees or even people in IBM eyes anymore: just resources. Oh but the executives?
They are still employees and RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL still applies to them
only. So they don't care one IOTA about your identity since in their eyes you
have none! IBM would have common crooks and thieves do Payroll now if IBM can
save more cash by paying them. Heck, they don't give out any raises anymore
which saves them more cash and they could use the money saved to pay the crooks
nicely :) -Identity-By-Manila-
Comment
07/05/08: the day beamers get the balls to stand up for what is right.... this
is what got you the "rights" you now ....enjoy... Hi Kitty .... -Ich
Bin Mueder-
http://members.tripod.com/~RedRobin2/index-29.html
http://www.du.edu/anthro/ludlow/cfphoto.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rockefellers/sfeature/sf_8.html
Comment
07/04/08: Here's
a great link that gives a few of the "unintended" consequences of
frequent layoffs and downsizing....Wonder if the brain trust in Armonk has discovered
any of this yet. And if not, why are they getting the big pay check?
http://www.bnet.com/2403-13059_23-208899.html
-gadfly-
Comment
07/04/08: Hey
IBMer's...did you know that all your personal data...(Name, Social security
#, Birthdate, address) is now residing in Manila. Call the Payroll help desk
and see for yourself. By the way; none of the top execs had their data moved.
-ID theft coming-
Comment
07/03/08: German
teddy bear firm brings production back from China
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2008-07-02-steiff-china-production_N.htm
-China mfg unbearable-
Comment
07/03/08: WOW
- what a surprise! State workers didn't want to xfer to IBM and lose their benefits.
How selfish! -Neal Watkins-
Comment
07/03/08: AUSTIN
-- Challenges such as the difficulty in obtaining seasoned state workers and
high turnover among IBM employees are slowing an $863 million state of Texas-IBM
project, the state auditor said in a report released Wednesday.
http://www.star-telegram.com/448/story/739339.html
-marbles-
Comment
07/03/08: re:
"Corporate Knights". There are several "red flags":
1. The newpaper company is moving to a new "web site" - I wonder who
provides it?
2. The newspaper is very much founded and run by Eastern Europeans and has an
offshore, internationalist and green agendas. The education issue front cover
appears to have Che Guevarra with a graduation mortarboard on!
I am checking on the advertising flow from IBM and partners. I did notice, however
that one of the key indicators was:
"Labour
Relations — A company receives a score in this category if a significant
portion of their employees have a collective bargaining agreement or if no worker
strife (not including work stoppages) has been documented in media reports over
the past year. Rationale: Companies that have cordial labour relations tend
to perform better." Maybe the Alliance ought to be writing to the newspaper
editorial board? -a-
Comment
07/02/08: Would
you believe that, with criteria that include pensions (okay, pension funding)
and CEO pay, that IBM was named by "Corporate Knights" as the top
corporate citizen in Canada for 2008? http://tinyurl.com/3znnn8
-Finite-
Comment
07/01/08: The
move from work at home back to the office issue is possibly because IBM has
all this vacant office space they are still paying for so they want to utilize
as best they can while they still have it. If it entices USA resources (we used
to be called employees) to quit then that saves IBM more bucks and helps their
profits and the executive stock options to become more lucrative. Try asking
IBM what their plan is. I'm sure they'll be straight with you! LOL -IBM
workabee-
Comment
06/30/08: Do
you believe these Bozo's? Unbelievable. "Operating a business ethically
and environmentally is not only a requirement today, but also an opportunity
-- companies that demonstrate they adhere to the highest societal expectations
of conduct have a significant advantage in attracting consumers, investors and
talent," said George Pohle, IBM vice president and global leader for
business strategy consulting. http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/080630/0411787.html
-John-
Comment
06/30/08: To
Boo....I have heard the same thing regarding co-location. I work in IGS, and
all of Jackie's group was destined to be co-located to Boulder during the 1st
phase of LEAN. Mgmt changed their minds after they ran the stats and found too
many of the employees who were (at that time) critical to the needs of the business
would not relocate, but rather find different employment. As it was, we lost
a boatload of good skilled people after LEAN. In a way it was a good thing because
after all the good folks left, we were under headcount, and mgmt no longer needed
to lay folks off. This year may be a different story.. We are losing accounts
due to LEAN. Customers are NOT happy. -miss understanding-
Comment
06/29/08: Work
at Home Boy: I haven't heard that specifically, but this might be what you're
referring to...
A GDF
(Global Delivery Framework) operation was set up in Fishkill for systems administrators
for a bunch of accounts...IBM Internal, as well as some commercial accounts.
Sys admins from Poughkeepsie, Southbury, Watson and Fishkill have been "co-located"
to Fishkill. It's essentially a LEAN operation, where system administrators
are herded into a help desk environment instead of handling their own accounts
from start to finish. All work has to be ticketed and put into a queue, then
dispatched to a pool of sys admins, etc. ...you get the picture. It's infuriating
and degrading.
As an added bonus, employees are required to be in the office from 8:30-5:15
Monday through Friday. No working from home.
So, on the heels of our 15% pay cut and gas at $4.25/gallon, IBM decides that
everyone has to drive to the office every day. Fishkill is 20 miles south of
Poughkeepsie, so an employee who lived north of Poughkeepsie is now commuting
an extra 40 miles/day, five days a week. There is no mileage allowance....your
office has been moved to Fishkill. Period.
They played hardball here. Any employee who lived within 50 miles of Fishkill
was given two choices: either you go to Fishkill, or you have 30 days to find
something else within IBM. If you don't find anything within 30 days, you resign.
No severance, no nothing. The ONLY exception was for employees who lived more
than 50 miles from Fishkill. They were given an opportunity to opt out, with
a guarantee that IBM would find them another position.
I don't know what the reasoning would be behind requiring everyone to come to
the office...I thought it was cheaper for IBM when employees work from home.
But it may just be another ploy to entice people to quit. Sooner or later, they'll
make our lives miserable enough that we'll quit and save them the trouble of
laying us off.
-Sinking Ship-
Comment
06/28/08: -Work
at home boy- I heard via the rumor mill that IBM execs had considered making
the LEAN co-locations which are now short term (3-4 week) gatherings of personnel
at one location into permanent co-locations. Your job, regardless of your current
location, would permanently move to the co-location site whether it was Atlanta
or Poughkepsie or Boulder or elsewhere. The proposal provided no relocation
funding, no benefits to ease the necessary real estate issues, and no airfare
to travel to/from the new location. so the employee wouldn't have to move. I
heard the reason it was dropped was that IBM would lose too many high performing
employees who would refuse to move and could find local employment outside of
IBM. Don't know how much of this is true, but that's the rumor. -Boo-
Comment
06/28/08: To
AnonyMuss- IBM does it because they can. It's their business and they can screw
everyone and anyone they like. Especially since the employees take everything
that is handed to them and they don't rebel and join the union. It's a totally
abusive relationship. If the workers continue to allow themselves to be treated
this way, IBM will continue to push the envelope farther until someone stops
them. Remember, all that is required for evil to triumph, is for good men to
do nothing. I think this is a perfect example. -miss understanding-
Comment
06/28/08: Hi
guys. Thanks for the responses. But I'm hearing now that they are pilotting
moving work-at-home employees back into the office in New York.. Not sure which
location it is. But they are saying that if you work within a certain radius
of an IBM office, you have to move back there. Has anyone heard anything like
this? -Work
at HomeBoy-
Comment
06/27/08: "I
have read so many comments and stories on this site and I simply cannot understand
how IBM has walked so far away from the path of the founders."
It's because the world is not the same as when the founders were running
things. The only overseas business they did was build a system for the Nazis.
-AnonyMuss-
Comment
06/27/08: After
watching shows on the history channel about Unions in the US I realize how brave
those men and women were who organized the auto industry, the coal industry
and others. Back in those days companies did not fire employees they would shoot
them or beat them to death to stop organizing. As IBM is already firing people
at a record rate are we really risking anything by organizing? Its not like
we are safer if we do nothing because the RA's keep on happening anyway. IBM
keeps hammering employees with pay cuts, no raises , Resource Actions, Outsourcing
and there is no end in sight. Do not expect congress to help, or a new President
because they, like all of us with 401K plans are invested in the stock market
and they really do not want to rein in business and cost themselves money. It
is up to us.. PERIOD. There is a burgler in our homes stealing our security
and our familys future well being and the 911 operator says no police are available.
Do you cower in your bedroom and hope he does not come up or do you pick up
a baseball bat, a golf club, a gun and confront the enemy head on. Just like
the supreme court has ruled that a law abiding citizen has a right to OWN a
gun even in Washington DC we also have a right to Organize to protect our jobs
and our kids college funds etc etc. In a baseball analogy its like we are standing
at the plate listening to the umpire call strikes and we arent bothering to
swing. I for one will take my swings . Organizing IBM is serious business. So
is saving your jobs and your dignity. Are you up to the task? The job you save
may very well be your own. Not sure how? The Alliance will be glad to help you.
Look into getting a picnic area at a state park. Throw an employees only bring
your own picnic lunch get together with all your co workers and their families.
Most picnic areas are free, you just have to sign up to reserve them. Enjoy
a day at the park with your co workers and their families. Watch your wives
or husbands talking and having a good time and your kids playing together and
realize these are your friends as well as your coworkers. These folks share
the same problems and want the same things you want. These will be your Union
Brothers and Sisters when IBM is organized. Ask the Alliance for flyers. Make
it as low key or as intense as you feel it needs to get. Be sure to have fun
so people will want to come to another. Attendance will ramp up as word gets
around that it was real fun. Maybe someone else will throw another. Word will
spread. Spreading the word is what needs to happen. Worst case is your families
have fun in the sun. Make sure you let the retirees know about it in your area.
Most of these folks would love to see old friends and socialize. Remember IBM
no longer invites them to Christmas parties or anything else. Hope this gets
some of you thinking. Enjoy life . Live better work union. -Exodus2007-
Comment
06/26/08: I
am about to have a birthday on Jun 30. This day should be a happy day for a
person; but it will be my 3rd ann. away from IBM. I have read so many comments
and stories on this site and I simply cannot understand how IBM has walked so
far away from the path of the founders. I do not believe the company can and
will see the effect of its actions until it is too late. I am sorry for those
who lost 15% of their base salary. I feel for all who received a 1 or 2+ PBC
rating and no raise. The message now for those still in IBM is what are you
going to do about the treatment. You need to take action and form a Union to
protect and restore what you have worked so hard to obtain. I am not part of
Alliance because it has been a struggle for me over these 3 years. I, however,
am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was not prepared for
RA action. I never thought IBM would let me go after 20 years and a 2+ performer.
I stronger because of the IBM's action. I only hope that each and everyone you
are ready, if you do not take the action required now. STAND UP and LET YOUR
VOICES BE HEARD! -RA'edonBirthday-
Comment
06/26/08: When
returning to work Wednesday night, I was expecting to see someone, anyone handing
out Alliance IBM union information at the doors/driveways in Burlington. Not
one person in sight! Is this because there was no local TV coverage on the scene?
You guys might want to make your presence felt on all four shifts and the 5-2ers!
-Anonymous-
Alliance reply: Flyers were distributed indoors. If you would like to help hand
out flyers, let us know.
Comment
06/24/08: Yes,
IBM had a another record profit margin with revenue up 26% As a stock holder
I would be asking the question why management in East Fishkill NY is telling
employees that their annual pay raise / cost of living adjustment is only 0-1
% because of poor related business profits. Managers are calling it a real slap
in the face.Meanwhile a local IBM executive retires with a 11 million dollar
bonus check. It appears that profits are now regulated using blood money and
how many AMERICAN jobs are called surplus. -Truly Senseless-
Comment
06/23/08: looking
to join -Anonymous- (We won't show your name, without your permission)
Alliance reply: Great! Send us more information. Membership is open to IBM Retirees,
Vendors, Contractors, Temps, Active IBM Employees and former IBM employees (retirees).
Join The Alliance! (Credit card
sign-up form) or Join The
Alliance! (Check or money order form & donations)
Comment
06/23/08: What
is it with you people? You can't seem to get it, can you? There have been numerous
posts here, by intelligent people that have the answer, to this horrible situation:
join the Alliance and organize your co-workers. Get busy doing it. Simple. Forget
the lawsuits and the 'shame shame' posts that you direct at Sam the Sham and
various other Executive euphemisms. A majority of employees, signed up to join
a union and working to get the union voted in, is the first step to a union
contract. Unite. Why do you come to this web site to complain and then do nothing?
It doesn't help you or anyone else. Do something to help IBM employees collectively.
Organize! Organize! Organize! You already have the tools here at Alliance, that
will help you! Just do it! -old dog-
Comment
06/23/08: Once
again a year of record profits and no raises! Well of course a few of the younger
folks are getting a raise, just not any or few of those that have been here
20 years. I think the alliance website is a good place to start collecting info
for another age discrimination lawsuit!!!!!!! So put the word out folks, did
you get a raise, are you over 40, how long have you been with the company? Survey
some of the folks in your department and see via a yes or no, who got raises,
you don't need to know how much, just whether they got one or not, should be
easy to find out. All you need is a couple of examples and you can file with
the eeoc on age discrimination and put the thieves running ibm back on the front
legal burner! -ibm-thief execs-strike-again-
Alliance reply: We agree with your sentiment; however, until
you have a union contract, bargained for by the employees union, you will continue
to suffer the injustice and unfairness that IBM continues to dish out to you.
As we have said in the past, age discrimination lawsuits have beed tried in
the past ,
with very little results in favor of the employees. Whatever you do to initiate
those lawsuits, will cost money and time that could be better spent organizing.
Comment
06/20/08: Get
ready IBMers.....all of your personal data is going to manila. The payroll help
desk is being moved there. They'll have your Name, Social Security Number,date
of birth, address, everything. Putting all IBMers at risk to save a buck. -anonymous-
Comment
06/20/08: Message
= I/T Specialists in IBM in the USA: IBM doesn't value your skills one bit now!
They are paying you now to leave without any package. That's why some got a
15% base pay cut in February and others got a 0% raise now in June. So much
for being a technical expert in your profession . IBM values the butt kissers,
paper pushers, project plan dreamers, and I/T computer illiterate types who
just do Powerpoint dog and pony presentations (prepared by their office assistants)
to look pretty and talk about financial numbers with no clue what the numbers
really truly are. -anonymous-
Comment
06/19/08: Just
watch IBM Insider on Yahoo. The IBM Armonk entitlerment crew are cashing their
options. But IBM can only afford 0-3% raises for USA employees (some folks even
got a minus 15% "raise" this year). %$#@ing digusting. Look in Webster's
for a definition of GREED: IBM. Palmisano and the rest of the Armonk entitlement:
rot in hell in your next life. Enjoy the heat: you deserve it. -Joe Beamer
Alliance guy-
Comment
06/19/08: Message
= Time to get your heads right, people. Vide this article:
Chavez threatens to block oil over EU rules
By THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS
Published: June 19, 2008
Filed at 6:23 p.m. ET
CARACAS, Venezuela
(AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is threatening not to sell oil to
any European country that applies strict new rules for expelling illegal immigrants.
Chavez also says Venezuela would block investments from such nations. He said
in a televised speech Thursday that the policy approved by EU legislators
shows ''signs of fascism.'' Chavez said ''our oil shouldn't go to those countries''
that apply the rules. The EU parliament passed new guidelines Wednesday under
which illegal immigrants can be held in specialized detention centers for
up to 18 months before being expelled. At last someone has the guts to stand
up to the European Union of Fascists. Read also Life and Deeds of Uncle Sam:
A Little History for Big Children. Oklahoma City, Ok.: Oklahoma Leader, ca.,
<1920>. 102 pp. Pamphlet A512 .L5 1920p. PDF at http://debs.indstate.edu/a512l5_1920.pdf
Understand that the Indian and Chinese workers who share your buildings are
only indentured servants, as your own immigrant ancestors to this country
used to be 200 years ago. -the preacher-
Comment
06/17/08: The
ones who left early for Lenovo have done quite well. -Temprano y contento
-
Comment
06/17/08: Resource
Acttion in Software Group taking place today. Managers contacting all employees
this morning. -John-
Comment
06/16/08: After
training their replacements in Malaysia, (as a condition to receiving their
severance package), my former IBM colleagues and division who were sold-off
to Lenovo were layed-off and are now seeking employment elsewhere. Perhaps IBM
will bring them back home. -Joe Punchclock-
Comment
06/16/08: IBM
is a real POS company. I a while back and just found out they won't pay a corporate
charge for travel I made for business. It's a damn hotel charge! If it weren't
such a small amount I'd sue them. IBM sucks. -ExIBM-
Comment
06/15/08: I
see nothing here from the guys who went over to Lenovo. How did they fare?
-Temprano-
Comment
06/14/08: In
pok journal's letter to the editor 06/14/2008).....
IBM's many promises now ringing hollow IBM recently stated, "We're here
to stay" in New York. It is hard to believe anything IBM says anymore.
Just ask the current employees about promised retirement when they were hired.
They have since learned it was a promise broken. Then ask the IBM retirees about
the promises made to them. They were told "they would have their job as
long as they did their job," but were then downsized. Another promise made
to them was their medical benefits would be paid. Both these promises have been
broken. IBM stated it is concerned about finding people with critical skills.
There was a time when IBM was a leader and job seekers would line up to be hired.
Now, IBM is satisfied to be just like any other company. A long time ago, IBM
had a management team that maintained full employment during the Depression.
It seems to have lost the management skill in today's environment. It has turned
to a management style willing to break any promise so as to get to the bottom
line.
Bruce R. Williams
Red Hook
-IBM had a management team that maintained full employment during
the Depression!!!!-
Comment
06/11/08: Work
at home boy: I doubt the blue pig will do that. I would NOT put it past
them to circulate rumors to force people out though. The benefit more than we
do on having employees work from home. No office rent and all of the big costs
behind that. Its much more cost effective to have the employees pay for the
ac heat rent electricity etc.. BUT as the cramer article alluded to, layoffs
will be the norm. I left after being extended a few times on my RA, I finally
told them to shove the next extension up their collective asses. I landed a
job with the competitor shortly after leaving. Life is soooooooooooooooooooo
much better outside ibm. The rest of the IT / Workforce is not based or as screwed
up as ibm. I use to be proud to be an ibm'er. That changed around 2002 when
the cuts kept going past the fat and muscle, into the bone. Management doesnt
give a rats a$$ about you.. they dont.. really , they dont. Once they killed
off spirit and the other inititives to keep the employees happy and address
our complaints, we knew the game was over. sam has made the street completely
clear that he will delivery quater afetr quarter, thru 2012 or something, record
profits. The ONLY way he can do this is cut back on expenses / overhead. The
US worker is the most expensive and the biggest overhead, so we are considered
the lowest hanging fruit. I have seen folks go into mental breakdowns or worse
at ibm. They dint care about us. IBM use to care about us.. we use to be family,
now we are a cost and no longer considered an asset. Polish your resume and
dont quit.. keep contacts line up job opportunites. If you quit, they win. Let
them RA you so you collect the money.. There is ZERO future at IBM as an employee...
zero. You are just as if not morer than expendable than the contractors now.
Contractors make less, you are now lower in the pecking order.. welcome to the
new ibm with zero work life balance As far as the one commenting on PBC's..
thanks for the laugh... we have noit be judged by those in a decade.. its a
waste of time. I copy and pasted the same crap every year. Its ALL based on
your 1st and 2nd line and the "bucket" available. I was treated well..
My last three ratings before being RA'd were 1 2 2+ had a great record and great
skills and was still screwed. Good luck all.. it was great working with everyone
for a decade. The people are the only thing I will miss about ibm.. -RA'd
Last May-
Comment
06/11/08: -Work
at HomeBoy- Southbury is closing the "C" building by end of this year
(the "A" building has been closed for years, so only the "B"
and CSB building will be open) and allowing the employees that do not need an
office in SBY to apply for work-at-home status. -sby_willie-
Comment
06/10/08: To
Work at HomeBoy: If there is any truth to the rumor about moving work at home
people back to the office, it's only to try and get people to quit. Too many
are way too comfortable rolling out of bed, getting their coffee, saving on
gas and walking over to the computer. Just remember, if you can do it from home,
they can certainly do it from overseas. Want to protect your great work at home
cushy job? Call all your work at home homeboys, and tell them to get on the
ball and sign up with Alliance, or you too, will be ra'd with the rest of us
if you don't quit. That my friend, is the fact about big blow. -ra'd last
year-
Comment
06/10/08: TO
-Work at HomeBoy- If IBM were to make us go back into the office, they
would lose 3/4 of the workforce. I work in one of the technical groups in IGS,
and the ONLY reason we continue to take IBM's cr*p is because we can work from
home. If this were taken away, the low salary, sh*tty work hours, and all the
other stuff we have to put up with would tip the scales in favor of better employment
opportunities...bring it on ibm...watch your technical staff WALK! I can promise
you that! -miss understanding-
Comment
06/10/08: Last
May, I was fortunate enough to have found a job with one of my previous employers,
and let me tell you, LIFE is GREAT outside of IBM. Anyone still employed at
IBM...keep looking!!! There are jobs out there with employers that care about,
and respect, their American workers. I remember when I became an IBM employee.
I was actually pretty excited. Working for a technology leader. Little did I
know how dysfunctional and disorganized IBM is! I have no clue how they stay
in business. Never seen managers move around a company so much. Are they running
and hiding because different accounts are finding out how incompetent they are?
I was actually one of the lucky ones as I really liked my first manager. She
actually was human and cared about her employees. She got smart and left. Anyway,
just wanted to give my two cents worth to those that remain. There is life outside
of IBM...and it's GREAT! No more 60-70 hour weeks and getting calls when you
are not oncall. I am ME again and it FEELS SO GOOD!!!! -LuvMyJobNOTatIBM-
Comment
06/09/08: Hey,
I heard that IBM is planning to move all work from home employees (WFH) back
into the office like HP did the other year.. Can anyone confirm it? -Work
at HomeBoy-
Comment
06/03/08: OH
NO! IBM is cutting people again, BUT this time its ME! Now what do I do? Now
who do I turn to? I know! I'll ask my union Rep how to file a greivamce for
unfair termination! OOOPS. Thats right. I didnt sign up and support the union
organizing effort. I have no Rep. I know. I'll post on the union website and
see if anyone knows anything more or how to fight it. What? Site not found??
Let me ask on the Yahoo Retiree pages what happened to the site? Closed due
to lack of support... Well, when all else fails I guess I can beg my manager
for mercy. Why are all the managers laughing so hard they have tears in their
eyes? Is that Smythe on his knees crying and begging for his job? He must be
telling a joke because management just keeps laughing harder and harder. Is
there no one who can help me? Anyone at all? Dont let this poor deluded soul
who thought he could stand alone against corporate greed be you. Sign up as
a full member and get your co-workers to do so also. Work alone at home? Tell
others you talk to on the phone about this website and sign them up. This is
so simple. If you do nothing to protect your job it will go away. -Exodus
2007-
Comment
06/03/08: So
"Ready To" did you contact the Alliance? Are you going to help?
-Member-
Alliance reply: Member, "ready to" has not contacted
us yet. And we can't contact anonymous posters.
Comment
06/01/08: Dear
Ready, I have stood at the gates handing out flyers. I walk the halls with flyers
and have a CWA/IBM IBM lanyard holding my badge. I have recruited several Fishkill
people to the union. Who says we have to piss off management? With most of the
Fishkill employees hiding under their workstations, all some of us can do, is
try to keep management honest; which is not working. My management knew I was
an Alliance member the day I signed on in early 2000. I am still here and still
fighting. I noticed you said "change your ways" and not change our
ways. What have YOU done for your fellow employees lately? -In Fishkill-
Comment
06/01/08:
Eliminate the tax breaks and IBM will eliminate your jobs. Just try
them. It'll give IBM one more reason to leave the USA. What are you going to
do about it, cry? -Joe Punchclock-
Alliance reply: Why is ok with you for a rich company like IBM to extort taxpayer
money from the IDA?
IBM is already eliminating jobs and moving work offshore. There should be no
tax breaks for companies that do that.
Comment
06/01/08:
in 6/1 Poughkeepsie Journal Letters to the Editor....
IBM has not earned tax break renewal. Before the Dutchess County Industrial
Development Agency (IDA) considers a five-year tax break for IBM, taxpayers
should ask: What has Big Blue done for us lately? If the IDA authorizes another
multi-year tax break extension when it meets on Monday, it will be the fourth
time that IBM enjoys a tax break at New Yorkers' expense despite an increasingly
spotty record on jobs. In 2007, the year IBM CEO Sam Palmisano hailed as "superb,"
the company actually reduced its Dutchess County work force by 265. The fact
is that while the IDA seems set to extend tax breaks routinely to a corporate
giant that saw earnings rise by $1 billion last year, the county has little
to show for it in the way of new jobs. Profitable companies that are not creating
good jobs should not benefit from tax breaks. Keeping Dutchess attractive to
business is vital for the region's economic success. But making sure any publicly
subsidized development benefits the community is just as important. For these
reasons, IDA needs to be strengthened through greater transparency and accountability
to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used to benefit the community. Without
making the nearly $400 million a year IDA program more transparent, it remains
difficult to hold thousands of companies such as IBM accountable for their effect
on communities. The state Senate and Assembly should pass legislation, before
they extend the outdated IDA mandate, to reform the program so recipients are
required to provide good-paying jobs to community residents.
Mike Salvia
Treasurer of the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO -More@endicottalliance.org-
Comment
05/31/08: Hey
Alliance, So I join and sign up for the union then what? I'll be the guy that
leads the soldiers to war ? I mean, I'd love to make a big stink and piss everyone
off, but they'd fire me man! Handing out paperwork is a joke, we need a total
plan of attack here like when Hitler invaded Poland. Seriously, where is The
Alliance? We need an appearance, not just a website. We need people and it's
been years of just the same old thing. It is time for change. Show me the faces
and prove to me the people are real there to overthrow IBM from the crazy treatment
of it's employees. Is there any meetings where people meet at instead of a board
in Fishkill for instance?? It's just hard for me to pay these costs to you and
it may never happen, what's it been 30 years of the talk?!?! I think you need
to change your ways and make a showing of force and show me the faces that are
real! Where are the meetings about this? Why dont one of you contact all the
employees of fishkill and ask them to come to a meeting so we can stand together.
Everyone is scared and we need someone to lead the pack!
I'll
do what I can do, but still feel helpless handing papers out that say Join this
union. We need a takeover. I'm willing to do something but not alone -Ready
To-
Alliance reply: Thanks for your comments. We focused on the web site because
it was a low cost means of keeping people informed and tied into the Alliance.
We've had meetings in Pok/EF, and the turnout was disappointing (and costly).
We agree that we need to up the ante on IBM. Please contact us allianceibmunion@gmail.com
and tell us who you are so we can work on some things.
Comment
05/31/08: Another
to read: Another
POK Journal Link
-A Band 9 in Poughkeepsie-
Comment
05/31/08:
Read the comments from the readers and the frontpage article!POK
Journal Link -Another front page in Poughkeepsie Journal-
Comment
05/31/08:
The better not yank away or AWS pay. I think they do that, people are
going to get real pissed off this time and enough is just enough ya know.
-Anon-
Alliance reply:
Until you have a union contract, bargained for by the employees union, you will
continue to suffer the injustice and unfairness that IBM continues to dish out
to you, through their management and HR people. Don't expect HR to 'correct'
the system, just because you have complained about it. You need to organize,
now. Join the Alliance@IBM and find out how to organize your co-workers and
build the union. Push back at IBM with a unified voice and pressure, to collectively
baragin a contract that stipulates specifically how OT is calculated; how benefits
are managed, and how everything else that you value as an IBM employee is protected
with that contract.
Comment
05/30/08:
IBM
VERMONT LAYOFFS COMING SOON -Anon-
Comment
05/29/08:
The
abuse of the H-1B visa will only end when the requirement for equal or higher
pay is enforced. It's simple economics, H-1B is used to hire cheap labor with
forced loyalty. When the price goes up, demand will go down. Write your representatives!
-H-1B-
Comment
05/28/08:
word
in Fishkill is the AWS is going to be changed again so that employees will get
less than currently. Has there been a change in NY State law that allows them
to cut AWS payments? Does anyone have details on what are the minimum overtime
payments for Alternate work week schedules? -ibm-s--a--scam-
Comment
05/26/08:
To The Alliance, I think your mission is important, but I'd not joined
for a number of years due to the feeling that $10/month was too much for a message
board that I only intermittently read. Your Associate Members program got me
into my comfort zone... somehow $5/month seems miles easier than $10. You don't
advertise very well that for the cost of a Starbuck's latte per month, folks
like myself can help to support the only organization that tries to surface
the shameful, disrespectful actions IBM often takes against its employees in
its pursuit of maximal profits. Anyhow, I suggest you market more towards Joe
Averages like myself. It should be obvious on the home page how little money
you're seeking. And I suspect I'm not alone in thinking that the user's comments
are the most valuable part of the web site. You should consider switching it
to a more conventional message board application, and make it more visible as
one of the Alliance's primary services to its members. It's nice to know that
I'm not the only one scared, pissed off, etc. And the rumor mill info here tends
to be the best there is. Anyhow, just my two cents. The other $4.98 will arrive
next month like usual ;-) -Joe Average-
Alliance reply:
Thanks for joining as an associate member. The Alliance is much more than a
message board and website. It is an organizing campaign and employee advocate
organization. The money we ask for in voluntary dues is to support an office
and everything that comes with it.
We have advertised by sending out thousands of e-mails to IBM employees and
thousands of snail mail information packs, and flyers at selected IBM sites.
We have had extensive coverage in all the media outlets in regards to job cuts,
pay cuts and other employee concerns.
The message board will remain moderated because some employees like to name
call, send vulgar comments or simply use it for anti-union comments. Thanks
for your support!
Comment
05/23/08:
RA'd in June 07. Back working, less money yes of course, but low impact,
no demands on me outside of 9 to 5. Academic setting, people are NICE. FYI I
JUST JOINED as an associate member, perhaps I can upgrade eventually, but that
is all I can do for now. Please...GO GET THEM......Don't let them get away with
All of this. -Anonymous-
Comment
05/22/08:
Well, I am one of the Network Services employees and I am off to AT&T.
I can't wait to get out of here. Over there more money and better benefits are
waiting for me. Next mission: find a job within AT&T as far away from Sam
Inc as possible. -Wohoo-
Comment
05/22/08:Whoa,
this article attracts no positive but negative and nasty comments and feedback
from Poughkeepsie IBMers http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com
-Whoa!-
Comment
05/21/08: If
you need a reason to join the Alliance, then this informative article (which
mentions IBM) - West Virginia teachers vote on pensions versus 401(k)s –
is a must read, especially the eighth paragraph:
http://biz.yahoo.com/hmoney/080520/051908_west_virginia_pensions_moneymag.html?.v=3&printer=1
While I may not benefit from the Alliance as a retiree after nearly
40 years, you might. As a concerned ex-IBMer, I suggest all active employees
consider joining the Alliance; and hope the Alliance continues to let me share
my thoughts (for free or at a nominal retiree rate). -My Thoughts-
Alliance Reply:
We do have an Associate member option for $5.00 per month (Join
link), that could work for you as a retiree. We appreciate your support
and your posts that come from your long term experience as an IBM employee.
Thanks for sharing with us.
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:
Ask yourself why you are visiting the Alliance website:
Do you feel
that IBM has treated you unfairly?
Has IBM slashed
your pension and medical benefits?
Has IBM off
shored and eliminated jobs of your co-workers?
Has IBM shown
any concern for the welfare of you and your family?
Has IBM cut
your salary?
Are you tired
of hearing that there is no bonus or raise money available when Sam and company
receives millions every year?
Do you think
IBM will change the way they treat you on their own?
Have you signed
up with the Alliance yet?
Why not?
Do you think
the Alliance can help you, without your help? -Questions
Than Need Answering-
Alliance reply: Many
thanks for your list of Questions. We hope that visitors to this web site and
these comments sections will honestly answer them in a comment. Hope you
are a member, too!
Comment
05/18/08: Exodus2007
- Actually Sam and his executive friends would make good miners simply beacuase
they're so good at getting the gold and giving employees the shaft. ;-)
-Frank-
Comment
05/18/08: Fishkill.
FACT: ALL contract work at the FAB stopped last week. All site work related
to the fab .. stopped. Road work included. Rumor, Sale of FAB went sour
at the last minute.
Fact. NYS granted AMD a 12 month extension on the 1.2 billion tax incentive
to build a fab in Luther Forest at the same time the FAB deal fell thru.
Comment: HMMMMMM Looks like IBM got played by AMD. Just like Gertsner
played NYS to get the pilot tax break.
Rumor. Us Fishkill folks are going to pay for this FUBAR by management.
As part of my kiss ass PBC I do the GEMBA walk to brown nose the managers. I
never saw a GEMBA note that said 'Sell the FAB'. I guess LEAN is just smoke
and mirrors, And I so believed in it. -Mike-
Comment
05/16/08: For
sale. CEO and Board of Directors along with various other top level executives.
These folks will make a great addition to a mining company because they have
proven adept at driving a huge corporation straight into the ground. Contact
IBM for the latest prices on these positions. Sammy stacks em deep and sells
em cheap, no wait, thats employees jobs and lives. End this madness for yourselves
and your families. Unionize. -Exodus 2007-
Comment
05/16/08: First,
they started off shoring jobs, and I did not join the Alliance because my job
was not being sent offshore. Then they froze the pension, and I did not join
the Alliance because it would be a long time before I retired and I would have
many years to make up the difference with the enhanced company contributions.
Then they cut the salaries of the IT Specialists, and I did not join the Alliance
because I was not an IT Specialist. Then I was RA'd, and there was no Alliance
left to speak out for me. Wake up people!! - Join the Alliance before it is
too late. -You Could Be Next-
Comment
05/16/08: IBM
Insider Purchases - Last 6 Months
Shares Trans
Purchases N/A
Sales 388,004
Net Shares Purchased (Sold) (388,004)
Total Insider Shares Held 549.39K N/A
% Net Shares Purchased (Sold) (41.2%) N/A
See, IBM executives are selling like mad, especially May 8th. Indication of
the execution of their stock buyback plans which makes themselves more filthy
rich. I can see them agressively cutting more costs in IBM USA so they can maximize
their aims and wallets and pocketbooks even more. Corporate greed is killing
IBM. We need to try something (unionize now) to save this company before it
is too late. -Anonymous-
Comment
05/14/08: IBM laying off 350 in Tulsa:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080514_1_A1_hThep78248
Comment
05/14/08: Open Message to Alliance: I understand the need to increase membership,
and for dues to fund Alliance operations. To help active employees – who
should be joining the Alliance, as a retiree after nearly 40 years, I have “anonymously”
posted comments from time-to-time. I would like to be able to continue to read
current comments and post helpful comments; but not at US$120.00 per year! Thus
I offer three points for the Alliance to consider:
1) RESTRICT PARTS of the Web site and services to members, e.g. limit access
archives, and some Web sections and newsletters;
2) ESTABLISH CATEGORIES of membership, e.g. active employee (full dues and benefits,
perhaps including confidential counseling), retiree (full access for free or
greatly reduced dues), subscriber (limited access with no benefits at nominal
annual dues, and guest (free with limited access to include current comments);
and,
3) LIMIT POSTS to comments of general interest, perhaps creating a new, open
category for members only. Before offering more suggestions, for now I would
be interested in starting a discussion, reading what others IBMers and retirees
think and have to say to the Alliance, and, of course, reading the Alliance's
response. -My Thoughts-
Alliance reply:
Many thanks for your thoughtful suggestions. We are looking at exactly the suggestions
you have made. We also listened to retirees and employees about the dues and
instituted an associate member catagory at $5 a month, a while back.
Comment
05/14/08: End
the madness. Live Better> Work Union. -Exodus2007-
Comment
05/14/08: Miss
Understanding, I would love to know if this is on the web or any place it might
be documented. I could use it after Monday -Mouse-
Comment
05/13/08: I've
said it before and I'll say it again. HR isn't there to protect you from the
company, they are there to protect the company from you. Don't expect any meaningful
action from HR. All they will do is work with your manager to try to discredit
you and defend the company at all costs. You're better off going straight to
the lawyer. You should start collecting hard evidence now to take to the layer.
Recordings, documents, etc.. Things that can be used in court against them,
nothing less. -Tom
Joad-
Comment
05/13/08: http://www.physorg.com/news129225048.html
Donofrio and Zeitler to reitre. Horray. About time these hanger on executive
pigs leave. Notice how Donofrio's CTO position is not being filled. Wasn't Nick
the guy who said that there is no new big thing in technology now? Some words
of wisdom. They both will also be able to exersize the last of the Gerstner
granted executive stock options so the run up of the IBM stock now with the
accelerating stock buybacks makes these two pigs that sure can fly now in retirement!
-pigs_can_fly-
Comment
05/13/08: HP
bought EDS. Should be interesting to see what happens around here. -Fellow
Slave-
Comment
05/13/08: "To
anonymous, I worked for the same guy. He is protected by his manager because
they were roomates in college. There is nothing you can do."
Sure there are steps you can take. Like was mentioned earlier, go over their
heads, go to HR, use the Speak Up form, file a harrassment complaint with your
state's labor commission. Email your 1st & 2nd line managers to tell them
that they are creating a hostile work environment. If it's not addressed and
corrected then you will do one of the above actions. If you get retaliated against,
then that's the great start to a lawsuit. -Tulsa_member-
Comment
05/13/08:To anonymous, I worked for the same guy. He is protected
by his manager because they were roomates in college. There is nothing you can
do..
-Anonymous-
Comment
05/13/08:To anonymous with the manager issue, you can either
go to your second line or contact hr.
-FellowSlave-
Comment
05/12/08: IBM is now outsourcing support jobs to Vietnam for
order goods from the United States. Someone called me today from Vietnam regarding
a purchase requisition. I tried in vein to understand what this person was trying
to say. Talk about a major communication gap. I had to hang up and only wonder
had the status of my order was. Sending jobs to Vietnam is another one of IBM’s
values that only show what the present Day IBM has become.Meanwhile America
workers are losing their jobs to forced cheaper labor and becoming complacent
for their actions..
-POW-
Comment
05/12/08: Hi,
I am wondering what to do about a manager at IBM that has an extreme temper,
curses and blows up at his employees as well as people he does not manage. It
seems as though he has been allowed to get away with this for many years. Any
help is appreciated.
-Anonymous-
Comment
05/10/08: So
over 7,000 employees had their salary cut by 15 percent, yet I don't think Alliance
membership has increased by that amount. What's wrong with you people that haven't
signed up yet? Are you just going to continue to take it? Are you just going
to grumble about it but do nothing? Make a stand!! It's better to light a candle
than curse the darkness. I've lit my candle, how about you? -Wondering
Aloud-
Comment
05/09/08: I
sat on the fence for 2 years waiting for things to get better at IBM and/or
for Alliance membership to start showing significant gains. Well, things continue
to get worse at IBM (hard to believe things could get worse but they do) and
Alliance membership will never grow unless people decide to start taking action
rather than sitting on their hands and letting IBM continue to slap them around.
I’m proud to say I took the plunge and became a member this week. Ever
since I signed up, I’m sleeping better at night, knowing that I’ve
at least done something to stand up for myself and to try and put a stop to
this insanity. Take my advice, sign up and you’ll sleep better at night
as well. -IBM Slave-
Comment
05/09/08: Word
on the street is more cuts by end of 08 to complete their master plan. What
street? There is nothing concrete to base this on. -pukingBlue-
Comment
05/08/08: -Anonymous-:
You are so right !! If you're in ITS/SSO, prepare for 80 - 85% of the work to
be off-shored by the end of the year. This is their master plan, and there is
no stopping it. -miss understanding-
Comment
05/08/08: Don't
give up, Alliance. Don't let IBM win and laugh. -Optimist-
Alliance Reply: Thank you for your cheer! Our hope is that You don't give up!
This organization can't exist without YOU... not the other way around. Our duty
is to our members first, and everyone else next. We've been at this for 9 years;
an unprecedented timeline for attempting to bring workers together for their
solidarity to each other. We intend to continue as long as possible. “Whatever
you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone
to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt
you to believe your critics are right.”....Ralph Waldo
Emerson
Comment
5/08/08:
If you are one of the few remaining employed by IBM in the US, it's time to
join Alliance now and make a difference. Word on the street is more cuts by
end of 08 to complete their master plan. Make a difference and join up now!
-Anonymous-
Comment
5/08/08:
To Alliance in reference to JD. I dont think JD was saying members would leave.
He was just saying that less people will sign up. -Beat Up-
Alliance reply: See our reply to Exodus2006, below. You
and JD may be right; however, the point is, that we can't do this for free.
We've had subscribers to Alliance, since 1999, that never became dues paying
members; even after thousands of phone calls and emails asking for their membership.
They had the benefit of receiving newsletters,
access to the comments, information and education about what unions can do,
and most of all, the opportunity to step across the line and become involved
in an effort to change things from the way they are. Sadly, many chose to just
use those ammenities and not give back anything. We have reached a point where
we can't continue to give away those things without a commitment to grow the
organization. As we have said many times before: we need YOU to help build this
organization for you and your co-workers.
Comment
5/07/08:
I would hate to see the message board closed to non-members. I still think it's
a good vehicle for getting more people to join. The Alliance could, however,
limit comments to union members only. -Exodus2006-
Alliance reply: The message board and the comments are the same thing. If we
closed the message board to non-members, then the comments would be limited
to union members, only. Our existing members have been concerned
about our 'giving away the store' for some time. Especially when they see the
membership decline because of layoffs.
You are right about the web site being a good vehicle to getting more employees
to join. The point is, we need funding to continue that effort. Our dues paying
members are the union. When new members join and pay $10 per month, they are
helping to continue our effort and their own. There is a huge responsibility
to be shouldered; if we all carry some of the weight, we can move forward quicker,
toward a number of sign-ups that can make a huge difference when the time comes
to vote. Organizing is a very difficult. Especially when the economy is plummeting
and the working people become egregiously affected. The days of IBMers being
'safe' from the economic woes of layoffs and downsizing have been over since
1990. The new IBM has opened the door of opportunity to its employees to form
a union and bring some protection and sanity to this whole process. The most
necessary ingredient is the non-management employees; standing up for each other
and weathering the ups and downs of 'Globalism'.
Comment
5/07/08:
US Project Managers beware as it coming this way! Ron Atkins, VP of ITD Transition/Transformation,
is moving forward with the Global Resourcing program they have been planning
behind closed doors. They are not hiring more US full time or sub-contractor
employees, but instead want to start using offshore PM's based in other (cheaper
labor) countries to work on US projects. It's just to help out with workload
since we are so busy ;-) TIME TO CONSIDER JOINING THE ALLIANCE! -Just
another IBM serial #-
Comment
5/07/08:
It would be GREAT to work with people who didn't spend 75 percent of their time
worrying about losing their jobs. Back in the 70"s and 80"s we worked
together and helped each other and the general success of the team was paramount
. It was a great work environment and we all looked forward to coming to work
. The only way we will ever get that great work environment back is to unionize.
Then WE have a contract that frees us from wasted time worrying about job loss.
Management can stop wasting time schemeing how to screw us out of money and
benefits to make themselves look good and concentrate on focusing the team against
the competition to make profits and stocks soar. As everything, salary and benefits
wise, will be negotiated by trained professionals on both sides. The results
should be fair and equitable to IBM and its employees and be fairly administered
so even more savings; as we wont need outsourced administrators trying to explain
the convoluted benefits package no one really understands. I do not know if
modern IBMers could work in that environment though. Earning respect from the
quality of your work instead of the sharpness of your backstabbing knife. Being
able to trust your peers to protect you and themselves without a second thought
because anything else is detrimental to the work environment. Respect for each
other is what made things work so well back then. IBM called it respect for
the individual. It did not flow from IBM. It was the employees respecting each
other and if IBM wanted respect they had to give it also. That respect can live
again in a union. The biggest difference between a union negotiator and a CEO
is a union negotiator will make concessions and accept a pay cut if times are
really bad . A CEO won't. And in fact, will manipulate numbers to maximize his/her
own bonus and raises. Which is worse for a business? The Greedy CEO who wants
to take take take without really performing, of course! -Exodus 2007-
Comment
5/05/08:.
Alliance: don't you think that making the comments section on this site for
members only will actually decrease your membership? You'll need to lay people
off...just like IBM does! By the way, when the gal passes out the Alliance newsletter
here at our cafeteria my boss' secretary is on the other end of the table picking
them up & throwing them away by his directive. -JD-
Alliance reply: Why would making the comments section for members only, make
our members leave? There's more to this web site, for members, than just the
comments sections. You should read our About
Membership page.
When members are handing out flyers in break rooms and cafeterias; they already
expect management to do things like collect them and throw them away. Federal
law (NLRA) says that secretary and the boss are acting illegally. If someone
wants to report them for that activity; step up and report it. That's what organizing
involves. Stepping up to the challenge. Our
members are doing just that.
Comment
5/05/08: H-1B's,
offshoring, pay cuts and the like will not disappear until as long as it represents
money in the pockets of our management. Do the math. If a firm has 25,000 employees
on H-1Bs or can otherwise "save" $10,000 on each, that equals $250,000,000
that management can use to increase their pay and not impact the bottom line.
Businesses have become a mechanism to transfer wealth, rather than system of
value add. -Calc-
Comment
5/04/08: ibm30plus
- you say that most IBMers are still loyal to IBM. There are those that
are, but most of the employees are horribly naive about things, and never think
that something bad could happen to them. But it sure can. It's amazing how many
people get caught by a bad situation and end up losing their jobs, and they
don't see it coming. People need to wake up and realize that YES, IT CAN HAPPEN
TO YOU. Even with 30 plus years in a supposedly safe position in Research. I've
seen it happen. It's sad to say that NO ONE is safe. Have a backup plan, because
even YOU might get the ax. -not naive-
Comment
5/04/08: Quote:
"I work for GBS Application Services (Division 6C). Our work
week is 48.5 hours due to the large bench they have been carrying in 2007 and
all of this year (2008). I only work 40 hours but charge 48.5."
You better not be billing any government contracts this way. If you
are, IBM will be severely fined and those employees responsible will be immediately
terminated. I hope the government is being diligent and frequently auditing
IBM's billing practices on government contracts. -No_way_jose-
Comment
5/04/08: -ibm30plus-
Most IBMers still are loyal to IBM, and would like to see a long term benefit
to themselves and the company. I can't speak for most IBMers, but I\'d guess
our site has fewer than 10% who feel that way. Everyone I talk to has a reason
for still being at IBM, but they profess to despise the company and will leave
as soon as they find something better. Management seems okay with that, so long
as people don\'t leave faster than our products can be offshored.
-irRational-
Comment
5/03/08: I
was on assignment to IBM Germany in the early 80's and was , therefore, covered
by the union that was in place then. I think it worked well. Overtime was always
approved by the union (Betriebsrat) but it seemed that the union was always
concerned about work-Life balance. Our (big) project went live - on schedule
I guess. I was not in the union discussions but it seemed to be a good partnership
between Company and Union. -Neal Watkins-
Comment
5/02/08:
I'm a 30+ year IBM,
and I've had a pretty good career at IBM Research. I read these comments and
find them to be extremely negative, while my experience is quite different.
I find that some of the actions by upper management are unilateral and reductions
in my former expectations, I don't think I could find a better position with
another employer. If you want to enlist the support of a larger fraction of
IBM employees, you need to show that you plan on balancing the individual benefit
versus that of the company as a whole. Most IBMers still are loyal to IBM, and
would like to see a long term benefit to themselves and the company. Very little
of that comes through the vitriol of this website. Are there examples of unionized
professional companies where the union has contributed to the company success,
or are you only interested in making sure that each employee is bolstered for
the length of a contract? I believe this is an important question for the majority
of employees and critical if you wish to enlist a majority. At the moment, from
what I have seen, I'm on the fence. -ibm30plus-
Alliance reply: IBM is and has been unionized in Europe, for many many years.
IBM Europe (formerly IBM World Trade) has been very succesful.
Comment
5/02/08:
Many of us are greatly afraid to join even though we fully support your
organization. Fear is the sole reason why your membership drive did not vaccum
active IBM employees of which brings up a question, how could we be assured
not to lose our jobs by joining your organization? -Alliance responded
to Sparta 300-
Alliance reply:
You have more to fear from IBM firing you during a resource action or your job
gets offshored even without joining the Alliance. Our President Linda Guyer
is an IBM employee. Also our Vice president Earl Mongeon and our treasurer Jim
Mangi. They have been active and public in the Alliance since 1999. At the recent
stockholder meeting 2 chapter reps and current employees were also there.
These employees have chosen to be public in their activities. There are others
around the country as well.
You do not have to be a public member if you choose not to. Your name as a member
is held in confidence. IBM will not get it.
We obviously encourage employees to be public because that is how we prove that
IBM employees are fed up with the situation inside IBM. IBM will claim there
is no problem because IBM employees don't speak out.
IBM wants you to be afraid. It is the perfect means of control; but remember,
it is your legal right to be a member of the Alliance and to help us organize.
It is time to shed the fear and join with others that have.
In addition we need to tell all of you that if we don't build membership and
gain more dues this organization will fade away and then there will be no organization
to speak and organize on behalf of IBM employees.
Comment
5/02/08:
Where are the comments regarding the recent stockholders meeting and
picketing etc etc -Anonymous-
Alliance reply:
A report on the meeting and activities will be sent to Alliance members and
subscribers. If you are neither, you will not see it.
Comment
5/02/08:
To GBS APP Serv Anonymous: I don't think I understand your question.
Are you complaining about a 48.5 hour work week? Relatively speaking, when I
worked for IBM, everyone worked well over 48.5 hours. 48.5 hours would be a
light week. -John-
Comment
5/01/08:
Excuse me, but isn't it like -illegal- to charge more hours than you
actually work? -Seven Oh Ninety-
