IBM
employee letter to NY Congressman Hall
Hi John:
I joined your
Town Hall conference call Wednesday evening Feb. 12th,I had difficulty joining
the call and missed some questions.
I have to declare due to the fact of the massive IBM layoffs in the Hudson Valley
I was surprised not to hear this topic addressed.
I have just been laid off from IBM Research in Yorktown Heights NY, along with
thousands of other IBM US employees.
The irony is these layoffs came a few days after IBM announced record profits.
It was also around this time IBM CEO met with President Obama regarding the
creation of future IT jobs within the US. I guess it was a great photo op for
Sam Palmisano"IBM CEO" the photo's were splashed all over IBM internal
web sites.
To get to the point within IBM there appears to be a disturbing trend.
IBM is hiring foreign Post Docs on student visas such as H1B as supplemental
workers; the older experienced US employees are asked to train them, after training
IBM then layoff the older workers, after a certain amount of time to avoid litigation
IBM hires full time the foreign Post Doc.
This trend appears to be a way for IBM to get cheap foreign labor, I presume
this may be the trend throughout many US companies.
As a NY State Congressman you should take heed and visit IBM Research Division
Yorktown Heights NY and take careful note of the vast amount of IBM non US employees
at this site, as compared to 5-6 years ago. The numbers are astounding.
A year ago last November an older IBM colleague and personal friend was laid
off after IBM hired a foreign Post Doc.
The older IBM'er trained the foreign Post Doc, the Post Doc then took over some
of his tasks, eventually the IBM'er was informed that he will no longer be required
and was laid off, he subsequently accuses his management of firing him in order
to open a position for the foreigner, IBM management obviously denies the accusation.
Well guess what: he was laid off.
IBM after a certain period of time which probably avoids litigation concerns
hire the Post Doc as a full time employee at a lower pay rate.
My case is similar, 2 years ago I worked with a excellent summer intern and
recommended to my manager to hire this person.
Last August he hired this person who is now a Post Doc and foreign national
on a student visa working as a supplemental IBM employee.
I was asked by my manager to train this person on very high tech specialized
equipment.
During this period after reflecting on what happened to my friend it crossed
my mind that I may be training my replacement.
Well guess what , I was right.
I have been with IBM for 22 years and had excellent yearly reviews.
My colleague was with IBM over 25 years and also had excellent reviews.
The US work force is in dire need of immediate assistance.
Not only do you see foreign workers taking US high tech jobs it is the same
story throughout all US industry.
Last April I spoke with laid off construction workers in San Francisco California
who are being replaced by mainly illegal latino's who are taking advantage of
the sanctuary city policy and pricing local workers out of the jobs market.
My question is :
WHEN and HOW or IF, you and your colleagues in Congress intend to address the
sheer undermining of the US work force.
Like most US citizens it is my opinion these concerns will fall on deaf ears.
The US citizens approval rating for Congress clearly reflects my opinion.
Prove me wrong