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antigop

(12,778 posts) Mon Feb 27, 2012, 02:45 PM Feb 2012

Layoffs are being made at IBM, workers and union report

http://wraltechwire.com/business/tech_wire/wire/story/10784152/

Job cuts are underway at IBM (NYSE: IBM), workers and the union seeking to represent Big Blue workers are saying.

Based on the amount of information being sent directly to union officials, they estimated that “at least seven to eight business units” are being “hit” and that the job cuts could “build up into the thousands.”

A corporate spokesperson for IBM confirmed that a "rebalancing" was underway but declined to provide specific numbers.

"IBM is constantly rebalancing its workforce," he said in response to a query from WRAL.

"That means reducing in some areas and hiring in others - based on shifts in technology and client demand. This flexibility allows IBM to remain competitive and relevant in an industry that is constantly changing. And given the competitive nature of our business, we do not publicly discuss the details of our staffing plans."

11 replies

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Layoffs are being made at IBM, workers and union report (Original Post) antigop Feb 2012 OP

fishing for cheaper engineers. nt patrice Feb 2012 #1

So now they are called "resource actions"..."rebalancing". In the pharma I used to work for, NRaleighLiberal Feb 2012 #2

"IBM is constantly rebalancing its workforce," OhioChick Feb 2012 #3

Every other week. n/t ProfessionalLeftist Feb 2012 #4

Out with the old 9-5 workers and in with independent "part-time" contractors ... proReality Feb 2012 #5

They are also getting rid of the over-50 crowd Harry Back Feb 2012 #11

K&R DeSwiss Feb 2012 #6

From One Who Knows hobohro Feb 2012 #7

Welcome to DU, hobohro. n/t area51 Feb 2012 #10

Take charge! Bigger Picture Feb 2012 #8

US corporations and big businesses are digging their own capitalism graves. nt nanabugg Feb 2012 #9

patrice

(47,992 posts)

1. fishing for cheaper engineers. nt

Reply to antigop (Original post)

Mon Feb 27, 2012, 02:47 PM

Feb 2012

NRaleighLiberal

(60,014 posts)

2. So now they are called "resource actions"..."rebalancing". In the pharma I used to work for,

Reply to antigop (Original post)

Mon Feb 27, 2012, 02:49 PM

Feb 2012

they came up with the word "synergies".

They are all just synonyms for corporate bullshit.....or half-assed reactive bad decision making, more often than not.

OhioChick

(23,218 posts)

3. "IBM is constantly rebalancing its workforce,"

Reply to antigop (Original post)

Mon Feb 27, 2012, 02:53 PM

Feb 2012

aka....Pink slips for US workers and new jobs openings in Asia.

ProfessionalLeftist

(4,982 posts)

4. Every other week. n/t

Reply to antigop (Original post)

Mon Feb 27, 2012, 02:54 PM

Feb 2012

proReality

(1,628 posts)

5. Out with the old 9-5 workers and in with independent "part-time" contractors ...

Reply to antigop (Original post)

Mon Feb 27, 2012, 03:49 PM

Feb 2012

they don't have to pay benefits to. When they have lay-offs, they also temporarily lay off some of the contractors, so it all looks fair and above board. Then they hire the contractors back. It's a neat trick. A dirty trick, but a neat one.

Harry Back

(17 posts)

11. They are also getting rid of the over-50 crowd

Reply to proReality (Reply #5)

Tue Feb 28, 2012, 10:35 PM

Feb 2012

I guarantee it. Probably balance that out with letting some 35's go, then hire the 35's back as contractors. Or close down 'units' that have more over-50's than other units. Then start up a new operation somewhere else to hire the 25-35 set there.

I noticed New Orleans was recently rah-rahing how they won a GE unit over Indianapolis. GE knows they have tons of formerly vested employees around Indy from old RCA and Thomson 'units' that were closed down since 1987. If they went back into Indy I guarantee lots of those former employees would be job seeking with the new unit so they could re-enact their vesting.

None of those 'former' GE types in NOLA. If there are, then very few.

DeSwiss

(27,137 posts)

6. K&R

Reply to antigop (Original post)

Mon Feb 27, 2012, 05:34 PM

Feb 2012

[center]"IBM is constantly rebalancing its workforce."

[/center]

hobohro

(1 post)

7. From One Who Knows

Reply to antigop (Original post)

Mon Feb 27, 2012, 10:35 PM

Feb 2012

When they start hiring H1Bs because there are no techs in the USA then the fight is on! It appears that they are after those of us making good monies, being on call 24/7. And working our ass off for them for at least 15 years or more .

There are many VETS that can do this job with no problems and a bit of education on the IBM products. Actually it takes around 3 years to train someone and IBM is not even backfilling these positions. IBM does not want to even train new people.

HIRE A VET ! IBM

HOBO

area51

(11,909 posts)

10. Welcome to DU, hobohro. n/t

Reply to hobohro (Reply #7)

Tue Feb 28, 2012, 04:49 AM

Feb 2012

Bigger Picture

(1 post)

8. Take charge!

Reply to antigop (Original post)

Tue Feb 28, 2012, 12:07 AM

Feb 2012

Big companies are constantly using PR tactics to soften the blows. After 15 years, I'm walking away from corporate America to start a new business and I'm recruiting. If you're serious about exploring a new opportunity send an email to riveranancyl@gmail.com. Email your name, number, resume and best time to call. In the subject heading of your email, include IBM.

nanabugg

(2,198 posts)

9. US corporations and big businesses are digging their own capitalism graves. nt

Reply to antigop (Original post)

Tue Feb 28, 2012, 12:51 AM

Feb 2012

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