Since IBM hasn't reported (and generally doesn't) on the number of layoffs that are occurring today, the information that can be garnered comes from an IBM employee organization known as Alliance@IBM—which has a long-term goal of gaining collective bargaining rights with IBM. The WSJ has today's layoff numbers—or what IBM internally calls a "resource action"—pegged around 5,000, which is consistent with the numbers Alliance@IBM has reported.
I wonder how much traction the CWA will get with their unionizing efforts for the US-based IBM workers? Will IBM employees consider such an action? Does this look like something other IT workers will start investigating? I have no idea, but this is an interesting topic.
Link: eWeek: IBM Employees Sound Off on Layoffs
Comment posted by Mike McP04/01/2009 03:22:13 PM
Homepage: http://www.openntf.org/mPortal
IBM is in a very dangerous position with this out-sourcing.
For instance, when an auto-maker moves jobs overseas, they will likely lose a relatively small niche market of fellow auto-makers who are in-tune with industry news. Also, you certainly don't need to be an auto-maker to be a prospective car buyer, so the damage to the company is minimal.
In Information Technology, it's very different. The people that have a vested interest in these jobs staying US-based a the very people that are technical decision makers and integrators of IBM products. If US IT integrators turn against IBM, they lose a substantial chunk of their market.
I'm personally not sure how long I can take these IBM stories....
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