Current and former IBMer's protest at Gerstner's Book Signing in RTP

Monday, Feb. 10, 2003

Alliance members, along with current and former IBM employees were in front of Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh today handing out copies of "Think Twice" and their "Alternate Memoirs", a timeline of slashed benefits and jobs. The last point on the timeline was a statement released today about exposure to toxic mold in an IBM building (see Sick Employees at IBM RTP).

The Alliance@IBM banner was draped over a bench in front of the store and two local TV channels were there to film the action.

One lucky man who actually retired from IBM years ago told Gerstner that he worked at IBM for 30 years and that it was the best company in the world for the first 29.

One former IBMer bought a book, got in line, and asked Gerstner if he could have his job back. Gerstner said he wasn't at IBM anymore, but the former employee tried to hand him his business card. Gerstner wouldn't take it so the storeowner said she would and Lou told her she didn't have to. Another protester told her she wouldn't want to take cards from all the thousands of people who were laid off while he was in charge at IBM. Then the group was ushered away, while several people nearby who were watching made supportive comments as they left.

One of the group left the timeline with an employee of the store, asking her to pass on that they were disappointed that they would host someone who is so hostile and dangerous to workers.