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IBM
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GDF Worker Comments
Comment 06/13/13:
RA in Columbia MO GDC. No firm numbers yet, or in what pools,
but rumor has it that its going to be 10. -anonymous-
Comment 06/12/13:
Anyone in any of the GDFs get the RA today
-GDF'ed-
Comment 06/07/13:
I am so sick and tired of this company and my useless management
staff. The GDF is such a joke and an awfull working encironment. The pay is
crap. The work is a joke and management servs no purpose but to cover thier
asses. -Gdfpm-
Comment 05/24/13:
IBM in Ireland... Contractor.. Don't do it..
It's a TRAP..! -John doe-
Comment 05/19/13:
GDF's North America are now toast: You are not
allowed to make profit and don't make revenue. Ginni will swing the axe like
a Clayborn sword. Wonder why Daniels left? He saw this coming. -GDF'ed-
Comment 05/13/13:
Sounds like East Fishkill GDF will see IBM employee
job cuts announced before end of this month. A slew of contractors have already
left. -fishfooled-
Comment 05/10/13:
So much for IBM's promise that it was committed
to the GDF in Dubuque? So the other GDFs better watch their backs very closely
now. Costa Rica (remember the "welcome wagon" from the other GDF personnel
for them?), Brazil, and even Chile might be the GDF hotbed by 2014. -Depuked-
Comment 05/09/13:
Hey -DBD GDF-: Most people here are
saying IBM is not staying past 2014 at the Roshek building. This coming from
business insiders in DBQ. They never signed the additional 5 year option on
their lease. Time will tell..... -Anonymous-
Comment 05/09/13:
The DBQ GDF has just started to lay people off
and the center is going to be no more in 5 years. People have been getting to
go packages for the past 5 months. -DBQ GDF-
Comment 05/02/13:
EFK GDF has has contractor cuts. All contractors
remaining can't work over 36 hours a week. So much for being on call this weekend
and being available for most of the next week. Sev. 1's assigned to me as a
jazzer will have to be reassigned or something. My poor IBM client customers!
What a way to run a business model into the ground :) -GDF'ed-
Comment
04/27/13:
No wonder Daniels left. His train set
has derailed. Now can the GDF ever get back on track? -GDF'ed-
Comment 04/27/13:
Yes contractors lost 4 hrs a week. At $55 per
hr that still comes out to $3,960 every 2 weeks. Average hourly wage in Dubuque
for perm IBMer is $18 for the same job. Contractors are making $2,520 more every
2 weeks than the IBMer is. I think the contractors can handle the 4 hr cut.
What about the moron making $18 per hr after spending close to 3 years in Dubuque?
I have had to train some of those contractors, they are not $55 per hr admins
trust me. One of them did not even know what a host file was. And they wonder
why company morale is so bad. -Anonymous-
Comment 04/24/13:
Job cuts under way. Contractors and regs will
be hit in the GDF Happening now and next week. Contractors Will be required
to work 36 hours a week going forward. -getting out-
Comment 04/21/13:
To everyone in GDF thinking you will get a non-GDF
job after you hit your 2 years in GDF or whatever the time limit is now. Here
in Columbia that has been accomplished by an entire 2 people and shows no time
of increasing any sooner. That is if the waiting period won't be increased again
(it was less when the center opened) Managers will block even the simplest of
internal to the center job transfers, I read once on here that once you are
in GDF you will never get out, it seems to be more true everyday.
---------
The laughing stock comment is spot on. Can't say I've heard of people being
re-hired as contractors in Columbia but I'm sure it's happened. The latest idea
is this "TAMeSSO / GIAMA" project. Though this has been in the works
for years.
Mainly instead of having a normal username + password to access the servers
you need to create X "reusable" IDs while the tool "injects"
the username and password in, sounds like a timesaver right?
Everyone who has heard of this project including the people implementing it
on the ground level know it is a laughing stock. Every team has found some way
in which it will destroy their productivity because the tool will only support
connections in certain ways.
Are you a UNIX admin who likes to use multissh to log into 30 servers at once
to cut down your workload? - UNSUPPORTED, you now have to log into each server
manually increasing the workload exponentially. Other teams have it worse as
they will lose very important job functions, but IBM doesn't care they just
keep going on and on about how much money it will save in onboarding costs.
(Remember the Awaiting Account Assignment Claim code?)
Everyone just hopes that they will not be the team who cannot access their accounts
systems when the entire ITIM tool falls over during a sev1. Which it inevitably
will, we all know how IBM can't even keep ISM dispatch running for more than
a week straight. For other news from Columbia they are starting a new concept
of"Single account pools" for some of the heavier FTE accounts instead
of segmenting the work all across the building a single pool will be created.
Therefore in the pool will be the project managers, exchange admins, etc and
they will only work on that single account. Overtime has also returned for all
pools after the freeze last year. But many overzealous managers are going to
great lengths to hide that from their teams and still denying requests instantly.
After all what's the point of actually managing a team when you can just pad
your own PBCs? -Columbia'd-
Comment 04/19/13:
to ex-GDFer: it has become more of a laughing
stock than anything. The roundtable discussions are my favorite. Trying to watch
a second line manager tell you that you that the contractors are not making
3 times your salary when you know darn well that they are because you are friends
with most of them. Looks like some IBMers are opting to quit for 30 days then
get hired back on as a contractor at fair market value wages. (Another thing
the SLM's are denying in the roundtable meetings) Can only laugh at this point.
-trainkeptrolling-
Comment 04/19/13:
GDF runs too top heavy. I have never seen a place
that needs so many managers and leads per account. 7 non-priv users giving orders,
2-3 priv users doing the actual work. Guess who is getting paid the least? My
opinion is to clean house in the GDF starting at the top, they would save a
bundle. Or continue with the same business model and lose money every year.
And it's also funny to see that the "Blue Coat" security is only installed
on the priv users workstations. In other words, the leads and managers can surf
the web all they want. What else they going to do all day? Look at cirats that
are past due? Close em then you useless tools, quit bothering a sys admin with
BS biotch work. -marymoon-
Comment 04/17/13:
How is the GDF now post-Daniels? East Fishkill,
Dubuque, Columbia, etc.? -ex-GDFer-
Comment 04/07/13:
Gotta luv that HBO show "Enlightened".
Remember that Time Management tool? Cogentiva? Gotta like the Abaddon Industries
management. IBM management? Sounds like life in the GDF. Wonder if IBM and other
corporate giants had anything to do with HBO cancelling plans for this comedies'
third season? -anonymous-
Comment 03/28/13:
"These three mouskeeters" Gotta give Mickey
the Mouse club more credit for civility than these (ex)executives. Maybe you
meant musketeers. It is more fitting, eh? -anonymous-
Comment 03/20/13:
PBC's are in, with the required 40 hours of training for the
year. There is no way we will have that time for that, and at the end of the
year it's going to be counted against us. -Little fish-
Comment 03/20/13:
The GDF's have to be one of the most toxic work environments
I have ever seen. Overworked, under-payed and way way way way way way over-processed.
Drop the attitudes FLM's, you are pretty useless to the entire division and
you know it. Pay the backbone what they deserve already instead of getting mass
extraction for the least amount of money. It will hurt you in the long run if
you keep trying to operate like this. -toxicavenger-
Comment 03/08/13:
These three mouskeeters can't get their schedules straight!
Never could when in IBM and never will. Typical IBM (ex)executives. Waste a
lot want more. And Ginny's gotten her green jacket. Palmisano deserves a green
straightjacket. Akers deserves a bit less criticism or ire since it was largely
the folks under him, like Palmisano and Rommetty, that started IBM's downfall.
Maybe they are celebrating Mike Daniels riding off into the global sunset?
-anonymous-
Comment 03/06/13:
Earlier this week 3 IBM corporate jets at Augusta,GA airport.
Former CEO's Palmisano, Akers and Gerstner along with current CEO Rometty had
dinner at Augusta National. Not a real good use of company funds, especially
when employees get no raises and more layoffs coming.. At lest they could have
all used the same jet! -Anonymous-
Comment 02/21/13:
IBM becomes a relic of a USA corporation by 2025. Profits with
little, if any revenue, is not sustainable. -nostradamus-
Comment 02/16/13:
columbia'd: the same exact stories used to run in Dubuque.
Truth is IBM never hit their mark and still receives their tax breaks. Another
line of crap is average salaries. The only way they hit $27 per hr is because
there are SDM's making 6 figures. The majority are making $14-$20 per hr. If
you dont believe me, go ask em. Telegraph Herald in Dubuque had the nerve to
put Average Salary $46,000 in bold type on their front page. Not the case even
after 2+ years there. IBM is becoming a laughing stock company to work for.
Resume padding at best. -jerrysignfeld-
Comment 02/14/13:
One of the local TV stations in Columbia recently did a story
on how many people have been hired at our GDF center. Honestly it is pretty
terrible reporting but it does hash out the average wage. (Average not Median)
http://www.komu.com/news/target-8-ibm-refuses-to-release-jobs-numbers-following-deadline/
But then again maybe I think it is terrible reporting as we all know what really
goes on inside which should be reported on instead. -Columbia'd-
Comment 02/13/13:
Stay away from GDF if you can. We have more people making reports
on change control dates and times then actual workers. The hire the locals to
create very pretty reports full of bad data. -Little fish-
Comment 02/10/13:
hey manny, I am surprised city data forum even kept that post
active. The moderator is a real PITA and removes anything posted that resembles
true. I had several posts removed regarding IBM and was not even close to as
brutal as the segment you posted. -hero4hero-
Comment 02/10/13:
-GDF'dup- Repeat after me: Roadmap 2015 Roadkill 2015.
If you think IBM cares one bit about Dubuque or even Iowa. THINK TWICE.
-GoshDarnFailure-
Comment 02/10/13:
Mike Daniels must have known what is going on. And for awhile
in Dupuke. So it's da-dit-dat-dit-so-long GDF folks for him! No wonder he is
retiring before that ^%$# hits the big circular fan. -GDF'ed-
Comment 02/09/13:
To: -ExIBM43-, wow did you hit the nail right on the
head. This is exactly what goes on still. It's a joke to most and most are looking
to get out. The morons who bought homes here are the ones still kissing arse
because they are stuck in dapuke. The complete nepotism that goes on there is
a disgrace. I have no respect for anyone in that building anymore.
-Anonymous-
Comment 02/07/13:
I left IBM Dubuque just as 'Wave 2' was beginning. Fortunately,
my group was a part of a different division and was not subject to the GDF methodology.
Those groups that were 'GDFs', however, suffered substantially. Here is some
of what I witnessed:
1. Overtime was frozen.
2. Contractor laptops inauspiciously stopped working towards the end of the
pay period - consequently after they had worked substantial overtime. They were
forced to turn their laptops in to the Help Desk and go home for the day, losing
all the hours for the day or days their laptop was being 'fixed'. So the overtime
hours that they did work were credited as regular pay.
3. New employees with less experience sometimes making 15k more a year than
their counterparts who had been there over a year.
4. Female employees entering relationships with higher ups and being promoted
to team lead positions.
5. Managers hiring friends and family members to their teams as highly paid
contractors, and signing off on all overtime requests.
6. Account focals who would not distribute work tickets to other team members
on the account - and then put in 20+ hours of overtime to close these tickets.
When, if they had properly dispatched the workload to the team members, the
work would have easily been completed within the 40 hour week.
7. Employees being given 5+ accounts to manage closing 300+ tickets per week,
while high paid team members (that were usually family members of the manager)
whom were called 'specialists' were only required to work on 'high level tickets'
matters. Not suprisingy, these 'High Level tickets', were primarily for monitoring
- so the 'specialist' essentially got paid for staring a screen and submitting
stats on an excel sheet once per hour - which honestly took no more 5 minutes
to do, effectively working less than an hour a day and ofcourse being paid for
the full 8 plus overtime, if after hours monitoring was deemed to be 'critical'-
(ofcourse the decision was left up to the 'specialist' where or not it was critical
or not - so i`m sure you can imagine it ALWAYS was, and they would often claim
20+ hours of OT which was approved without any review). -ExIBM43-
Comment 02/03/13:
-wundering-: I know in Dubuque we
are still hiring, but they have no signed the additional 5 year contract extension
to stay here. Kind of hoping they don't renew. I would rather see some of these
managers and leads out of work -GDF'dup-
Comment 02/02/13:
Mr. Daniels is cashing out: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=IBM+Insider+Transactions
I bet the GDP pays less than his stock award cash out in the
GDFs. -11,000,000_or_so-
Comment
01/25/12: Does anyone in the GDFs get a PBC
1 or have a chance for it other than the management? -Debuked-
Comment
01/15/12: Anyone told they have to go to Columbia
to keep a GDF job? -wundering-
Comment
01/15/12: Have to repost something off citydata
forums.
Default IBM Dubuque GDF nightmare So peeps, just wanted to hear what all of
the IBMers have to say after making the biggest mistake of their lives by taking
this crappy job and moving to a waste of a town called Dupuke. Reading some
of the BS optimists posts from a year ago only makes me laugh harder at how
wrong you were, and now you know it too. No raises for 98% of the staff, that's
right 98% received nothing in over 2 years, no cost of living, no performance
increases either. Which makes me wonder WTF a PBC is really for? They stress
the importance of completing your PBC all the time, yet do not deliver on rewarding
anyone's work. Oh, the 2% who got increases barely broke 1% increases. Gee,
thanks Big Blue. Total craphole to work in/for.
P.S. Just wanted to send a big ... to all the native Dubuquers who raised their
rental properties when they heard IBM was moving here. The good news is that
IBM wont be staying long and you will lose most of your tenants.
Good luck on the job searching to all the IBMers. We all deserve more than this
pile of crap job. End -manny-
Alliance reply: To the person who sent this, we edited
some of your comments because they were over the line for our web site rules.
Comment
01/01/12: I
have over 15 years of IT work experience. I noticed towards the end of my time
at IBM that they were hiring inexperienced "wannabe IT" people to
work on complex environments. I really feel sorry for these customers. The GDF
model should work but not the way it is being implemented. People are being
treated poorly, hours are being cut, there is no OT but the workload is high.
They have team leads who have no clue and managers who do not care. There is
so much waste in time and resources. I love little Dubuque but I am glad to
be out of IBM. I would have wanted to grow my career at IBM but piss poor treatment
of employees just drove me out. -anonymous-
Alliance Reply: Your example is still another reason why IBMers and
IBM contractors must organize.
Comment
12/23/11: I work as a contractor in Dubuque.
I am on-call for 12/26 which is an IBM Holiday. IBM employees get paid holidays;
I do not. So I have to wait by the 'phone on the company holiday and don't get
paid unless the 'phone rings..and then my holiday plans might have to be changed.
I understand being a contractor means no work = no pay but why do contractors
get no standby pay when IBMers do? -Standingby-
Alliance Reply: Your example is yet another reason why IBMers and
IBM contractors must organize. No "standby" pay? Of course not. IBM
treats the contractors more despicably than IBMers...and that's pretty bad when
you consider how badly IBMers are treated. IBM does what it wants, follows its
own rules or ignores its own rules when ever IBM pleases. Without a union contract
for contractors and IBMers, alike, there will continue to be no 'standby pay'
or anything else that you really do deserve....including holidays.
Comment
12/22/11: I couldn't take the furlough mandated
by IBM this week or next. I have to be coverage for IBM regulars who were out
on vacation for this week and next. There are fewer and fewer regular employees
this year than year's past. At least IBM employees still get some vacation time
in before Scrooge Sam closes the door on 2011. Ginny the Grinch will be handling
2012. -anonymous-
Comment
12/18/11: Well, GDF wave 2011.2 is completed
in Canada. The GDF implementation team is moving on to the next wave. By “completed”
I mean that their checklists are completed, what has been done is far from complete.
Tons of things are not really in place, processes are incomplete, or inapplicable.
People are style wondering in which way this is an improvement, all they see
is more red tape before being able to do actual technical work. But no worries,
project “Malle” is going to solve all problems… Project Malle
being a executive driven project to reorganize first line management along the
line of delivery, profile holders, etc. Not very well defined yet from what
I hear, but first lines managers are not happy. I brings in more problems than
it solves. -Canonymous-
Comment
12/13/11:
So, the Dubuque is losing competent people left and right, HR's solution? Pay
new people more than those that have been here 2 years. If you want to get oodles
more people to join the union, get the statistics on incoming worker pay vs
those that have been here from the start. Iowa sentiment is mostly anti union
and comparing to other centers doesn't work because cost of living and band
levels are difference, but comparing new and old will get tons of people wanting
to join. -Dubuquer-
Comment
12/01/11:
-James- I think "full time work" is anything over 20 hours
a week. So it is probably legal, but ethical? The issue is whether Artech is
intentionally deceiving those contractors it takes on for IBM client about not
telling them of possible furloughs. What I would like to see is those forced
to take a furlough should at least get unemployment benefits. IBM and/or Artech
is denying employment during the furlough. -anonymous-
Comment
12/01/11: Does IBM employees
get standby pay for on-call off shift coverage and contractors don't get it?
If this is the case then why should GDF contractors be on-call in the first
place if they are compensated totally different? -anonymous-
Comment
11/30/11: Artech Information
Systems is a recruiting agency for IBM. Over the past few years Artech has continued
to hire new contract employees for positions with IBM Global Services Division
under the pretense of being a full time contract employee knowing that IBM is
going to be giving these same employees furlough day's as they have been for
the last few years. Artech does not inform prospective employees about the furlough
days in advance as it may cause people to not accept a position that will not
be full time 40hr work week. Is it legal to hire someone for a full time 40hr
per week position knowing they will be given furlough days and not be working
40hr work weeks. Could this be grounds for a class action law suit?
-James-
Comment
11/29/11: IBM still plays
the contracting game in the GDF as fast and loose as possible. Doesn't it seem
there is very little distinction or difference between a GDF employee and contractor?
A contractor is NOT AN IBM EMPLOYEE and thus should not be told to do HR tasks
like fudge OT or work hours by their IBM supervisor (the contractor's MANAGER
is from the contracting company). I doubt the contracting company manager tells
the GDF contractor to lie on the timesheet or ILC (labor claim system). It's
time to stop playing the game and expose IBM on the OT hours shell games they
ask contractors to play. It's not right to ship labor costs from week to week-to-week,
month-to-month, quarter-to quarter just to unethically enrich the IBM corporation's
bottom line. No wonder IBM changed the wording a little bit back on the ILC
invocation preamble. They are denying the abuse and are doing damage control.
But no one calls them out on it as an FLSA abuser. -also_Dubuqued-
Comment
11/28/11: 2015 is the
year I think all US based GDF's will be gone. How do you think IBM is going
to continue to increase their ever increasing lofty almighty EPS target which
they probably now want to hit $25 per share so Ginnie can get a$ rich a$ Sam
who got as rich or more than Lou? You either suck up big pay cuts (like maybe
work for close to free) and give up all your remaining employee benefits or
you'll find yourself soon gone. You folks have little time left. Unless you
fight the good fight and stand up for your right. Unionize now! -Jammin'
Man-
Comment
11/21/11: All is true
about the postings here with the GDC. Low wages, working every day, and my thing
is I asked for help on my accounts and never got it. Ridiculous management excuses
and lots of pressure from the customers with little help from management...No
way to run a business. I am so happy to land another job outside of IBM GDC
failure. Godspeed to those left. -Dubuqued2-
Comment
11/11/11: Was anyone let
go on Nov. 1st? -anonymous-
Comment
11/07/11: "Hello,
I would like to join the alliance union, is there a way i can send my dues in
monthly?" Just click on "About Membership" menu tab
in this comments sections or click here:
https://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4004/donate_page/alliance-join ....Welcome!
-IBM Union Yes!-
Comment
11/02/11: Hello, I would
like to join the alliance union, is there a way I can send my dues in monthly?
I need a address or something. GDC's are suffering big time with this AWS and
and low salaries, I observe many of the inhabitants especially GDC Dubuque are
struggling just to pay basic bills. There is a no OT throughout the entire facility,
moral is low, just about everyday there is negativity amongst team members,
managers and you hear nothing but the same on the elevators. Someone from headquarters
seriously needs to visit IBM Dubuque. Lots of folks walkout with no jobs, or
just pissed off on how they are treated like animals or children, personal HR
information is discussed amongst "leadership teams" and its not right.
Folks ain't got a cost of living increase mostly when discussed in roundtables
the actual words from a senior second level manager was to "be happy you
have a job". IBM Dubuque HR recruiting is using the economy to get what
ever they can into support. Turn over is at a all time high. When asked about
career development the common practice is your promotion is with another company
and not in IBM. Mobility is not encouraged at all. Many have 2 yrs or more in
with the new center. Do a survey at the dubuque Delivery center. I have a ton
of more stuff that you would be shocked is going on. -Anonymous-
Comment
10/22/11: Timing Tool
= RA tool –einstein-
Comment
10/17/11: Are we having
fun yet using the Timing Tool? Not! 3 weeks of hell tracking all the work you
do to ensure you’re “following the GDF processes to be productive.”
Blah-blah. Talk about an un-productive time-waster. Towelin’ off, boss…drinkin’
water, boss. Spy-ware to screw us. What professionals have to do this non-sense?!
Morale teams and monthly recognition awards – rah-rah with no money. Enough
silliness and stress. Time to organize. Join the Alliance. Occupy GDF. Do something!
–GetItDone-
Comment
10/13/11: There is no
downside to joining the alliance. I'm glad we have some members who are highly
visible, and good organizers, but I can state without a doubt that if you want
to remain anonymous, you can certainly do that. I was worried about being targeted
by management, but joined anyway because they have been offshoring my group
so I had nothing to lose. Two years later I'm still anonymous. It's completely
confidential, and now I have proof. Join up, folks. Now's the time. (And remember...never
access the alliance website from your work laptop.) -Anon-
Comment
10/12/11: Worked hard,
even missed a vacation due to a project that needed to be done. Earned a raise
that not only was less than cost of living adjustment, but was less than the
amount I lost on canceled plane tickets. I should have called in sick.
-Dubuquer-
Comment
10/07/11: Furlough rumors
for contractors in this QTR heard in EF GDF. -anonymous-
Comment
10/07/11: So much for
IBM following FLSA law. If you are supposed to be on-call and available for
work after normal business hours as an hourly employee you have to be entitled
to at least some form of $ for your labor. For IBM to say to only claim 40 hours
work and denying OT and offer the lame alternative to take comp time is at least
borderline illegal if it is not illegal in the first place! This is why
we need a union.
-Dubuked-
Comment
10/05/11: I'm new to the
GDF. The question I have is how can IBM say I have to take and work on problem
tickets after normal work hours, only work 40 hours a week, and I can't work
and submit OT. If I get more problem tickets after hours than I can handle how
can I still do it in 40 hours? My manager says 'I need to budget my time better'
and 'work smarter' with no further elaboration or specifics on how it can be
done. I guess most employees must have figured out how to do this without a
union contract so can you fill me in on the 'secret'? -anonymous-
Alliance Reply: Why struggle to learn the 'secret'? Why not struggle to get
a union contract? That is a struggle that you don't have to do alone, and it
will turn out much better for you.
Comment
10/03/11: GDF's Canadian
wave moving along swiftly with fixed implementation dates.
Something will be implemented, but what? The GDF processes that are provided
are for a minimum of 25 people with a target of 50. Current wave targeted teams
are a mix bag of 5 to 10 peoples. Does it make a difference? no. GDF processes
will be applied as is, whatever the consequences. And the funny thing is that
for some teams there are more GDF roles (dispatcher, etc.) than there are people
in the team. Also, these small teams, with nothing in common, are being moved
to the same floor to be part of the GDF. What's the benefit of grouping them?,
none. You can bet that some exec wants a photo op on October 24 when the GDF
centers are opened. -Canonymous-
Comment
10/03/11: Does IBM typically
furlough contractors in the GDFs during the 4th QTR? -Dubuquer-
Comment
9/30/11: I want to know
what gives managers the right to block transfers. If the manager cannot get
me a raise then they should not be able to block me from getting out of this
stinkpot they call Dubuque. To anyone thinking of moving there for a job with
IBM, DO NOT! Any job where you are at now is 10X better, trust me. IBM Dubuque's
managers are completely useless and should all be fired first and foremost.
Then they can give raises to the SA's actually doing the work. Drop the stupid
huddles and Green Team as well. Metrics have no place in Dubuque.
-GDF Loser-
Comment 9/25/11: Rogers,
State of Texas, Astra Zeneca, and a littany of other accounts are leaving IBM.
The GDF concept is fine but the way it was implemented was more in the shareholder's
best interests than the customer or the employee. With little balance on that
triangle, something has to give, and it has. -Anonymous-
Comment 9/05/11: GDF wave 2011.2 in progress in Canada (2011.2
is for the legacy systems). Everybody back in the office 5 days a week starting
October 24th (except people living over 50 miles away), even if you're the only
member of your team at that location (as in Canada Global Delivery Centers are
virtual and located in multiple cities like Toronto, Montreal, etc.)
-Canonymous-
Comment 6/09/11: Two weeks ago, 60 hard working people for
Rogers account got fired at GDF Toronto Canada. US IBM auditors think we are
pricey and want to move more jobs to India. Today, the customer CEO suddenly
announced to replace CIO, and new CIO will bring IT back in-house 100%. What
a shock to the big blue. Rogers-IBM had a 7-year-deal signed in 2009. Just less
two years, Rogers decided to walk away. IBM let experienced FTEs go and is hiring
fresh contractors in Toronto and India. The services delivered to the customer
are so bad that GDF is the worst disaster IT place we ever worked. TD bank and
Sunlife started to bring IT back in-house already.
-LOL-
Comment 12/22/10: Re Dubuque Craigslist
rave - in my opinion, not IBM's, Dubuque is just a red herring set-up to give
the impression that IBM is investing in US workers and infrastructure. You may
only be there as a puppet to demonstrate a handful of US jobs were created.
However the GDF purpose was and is to fool US IBMers and the state and federal
government. When Dubuque GDF was first announced some of us heard certain job
categories would be moving there, such as "admin" activities. However,
I only know of 1 out of 25 of these jobs in my organization really went to Dubuque;
the rest went to unskilled, intern level India, Brazil, Argentina and other
remote country resources instead. As for the GDF plans, moving US regional data
center operations to Dubuque, we saw warnings that US SDC folks would have to
rejoin an existing data center, then later take pay cuts and move at their own
expense to the Dubuque GDF. Well, I saw lay-offs of delivery and data center
friends but I've seen no evidence of a migration of existing skilled delivery
folks going to Dubuque GDF. I expect Dubuque will remain a cheap skeleton of
what a real IBM data center should be. IBM will not invest in you, sorry to
say. If IBM is hiring cheapest overseas labor, not even skilled or even train
them, why would they invest in a more expensive US resource?
-Whoopee-
Comment 9/22/10: Told last week that IBM is setting up GDFs
in Calgary, and Montreal in addition to existing one in Toronto. Satellite ones
in Edmonton and Winnipeg. People to start moving in on Oct 18. Soon all employees
in these cities will be in GDF. No more working from home. Contractors initially
then the remaining employees. If outside 80KM radius you are exempt. This would
appear to be the precursor for more staff cuts. GDF being implemented on a number
of accounts, once people are up to speed on multiple accounts there will be
more staff cuts. Time table for various groupings of accounts to be GDF model
already in place
-anonymous-
Comment 9/15/10: Got to talk to a
couple of people on the State of Texas account telling us during a meet up about
how badly IBM Screwed up including asking any and all for 35% cuts in hours
and pay on acct to having Arch's working 30-40 jobs at one time and all with
one week turnarounds including cutting more PM's and sending all possible work
to Dubuque GDF. Fun part was telling us about the GDF PM's working for less
than 44K a year and one PM Contractor asked to come back at $ 22 a hr after
working for $ 44 a hr before being RA'd. IBM said to cut more over next couple
of months on the account as SoT starts talking to DELL and HP mostly to get
other work done away from IBM, way to go for screwing up an account.
-anon-
Comment 7/16/10: I lost my job in
ITD at the Boulder campus last month. Despite a lot of sensible resistance by
employees against the GDF mess, the company simply doesn't care about employee
mistreatment. They're hell bent on destroying services entirely, losing their
few remaining customers, and turning the company into little more than a 3rd
world body shop. I don't know about the other GDF locations, but IBM Boulder
continues to get rid of fulltime technical people on a quarterly basis. The
company then plugs IBM Bangalore resources into these same positions...right
here, on our US own soil. The company is beyond a disgrace at this point, and
I'm happy to be out of there.
-Anonymous-
Comment 4/19/10: IBM Long Term Supplemental
Role in East Lansing, MI: (Current Employee) "Disappointing and discouraging."
Pros: Decent health insurance (if you pay for the step-up plan.) Well known
company. Access to all documentation. Access to self-paced training on a variety
of topics. Cons: Low salaries in comparison to the market. Employees are micromanaged.
Experienced professionals are treated like children. Attendance is taken. Employees
(might) have one square yard of work space in the office. Employees are discouraged
from working from home, even when their clients request it. Long term supplemental
employees are not allowed to post for "regular" jobs for 18 months
from when they were hired. Advice to Senior Management: If you have a problem
that affects the employees (like you need to show bodies in seats to clients
when they visit), ask the people affected for suggestions on solving the problem.
Don't assume that you have all of the answers. People will support you, if you
are interested in their opinion.
-Anon-
If the advocacy work that
Alliance @IBM
is doing, is important to you,
10/17/11.
