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Comment
11/17/08:
Thanks for the response!! So are you at 30% yet? Dont get me wrong-
I am not anti-union, I think it would be great if the IBM workers had a collective
voice in dealings with the company. I just wonder if Alliance is wasting its
time (say, after all these years, if it were under 10%), or if it is close (say,
30%) and then I would suggest a huge push (people handing out flyers, maybe
have a rally or other event)...-newguy-
Alliance Reply:
It can't
be determined, whether there is 30%, prior to establishing a bargaining unit.
The answer is: not yet. We're not wasting our time. The employees need to start
the push by handing out flyers, having meetings with organizers and basically
getting the word out to their co-workers. What you suggest is what we've been
suggesting for some time. Organize. We will help. The leadership of the employees
union has to come from the inside; from the employees themselves. Alliance acts
as catalyst with information. There are laws and time tested organizing techniques
that must be applied. IBM will not budge without
a fight. No union walks in the front door of any company and declares the company
unionized. How many co-workers have you talked to about joining Alliance and
forming a union? How many co-workers have come to you asking if you wanted a
union contract? Those two actions need to take place, before you worry about
bargaining units and percentages.
Comment
11/17/08:
Ubuntu2u2- GM's arrogance toward their loyal customers and poor
quality products are a large part of why GM is in trouble. I've owned GM products
for most of my adult life, but I got fed up with fixing GM's junk and they would
have to pay me to buy another GM vehicle. Many of GM's suppliers also supply
parts to other manufactures, including Toyota, so I don't think the supplier
impact would be as severe as people make it sound, plus many of the suppliers
are in Mexico. As far as bringing a union into IBM, I think that unionizing
now would only accelerate the off shoring of jobs to other countries. The IBM
train to hell is running full steam ahead and we have very little leverage to
stop it at this point even with union representation. -Anonymous-
Comment
11/17/08:
-AnonyMouse-: I don't think you understand the huge difference
between GM and IBM. Not only that, IBM doesn't have to re-tool to manufacture
'fuel efficient, environmentally friendly' computers or services. If GM goes
under and files bankruptcy, the company WILL BE LIQUIDATED. No question. If
that happens there will be more than 100,000 jobs lost.. more like a few million....Chrysler
and Ford will fall as well. As an added insult to injury, vendors and suppliers
to the Auto industry will fall. We will go directly to a depression..do not
pass go, do not collect the US economy. The UAW is not to blame for this economy.
In recent years; the UAW has made a series of concessions and changes to their
contracts, that have helped the Auto Industry get this far. Bankruptcy is NOT
the best thing to happen to GM. The best thing would be to roil their top Executives
out of their golden parachutes and enormous salaries. They need to take a lesson
from a 1980's Lee Iacocca, for starters. Take a $1.00 a year as salary and get
to work retooling the industry to fit the demand for alternative energy vehicles.
The union should be involved with that strategy, too. It's called 'working together'.
-Ubuntu2u2-
Comment
11/16/08:
I don't understand what you think a union is going to accomplish. The
barn door was left open starting around 30 years ago when the WTO, and free
trade took root. The only thing a union would do for IBM in this global economy
is send it the way of General Motors. Unable to compete and headed toward bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy will be the best thing that ever happened to GM, but the worst thing
to happen to 100,000 union workers because their jobs will be eliminated. -AnonyMouse-
Comment
11/16/08:
IBM wouldn't need any employee to sign a non-compete agreement if they
treated all their employees fairly with dignity ("RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL"),
paid them fairly (better than the average market pay), maintained employee benefits
and even try to improve them, and also give all employees more than just a hope
for a lasting career in IBM. Then most, if not all, employees would choose to
stay in IBM. The employees would also be more committed to making IBM a much
better I/T company since the employee would not have to constantly watch and
worry about their position in IBM. The only way to work towards a better IBM
where employees would want to stay is to unionize. UNION YES! -sby_willie-
Comment
11/16/08:
Heard something that IBM want to get some of the USA "rescue"
money. They took out a loan (credit) earlier this year for stock buybacks and
probably want to secure another loan now but are having probs. getting the credit.
Wouldn't surprise me this coming from the thieves, crooks, and sheer greedy
bastards that hide in Armonk. -anonymous-
Comment
11/14/08:
God I hope this guy stuffs it right up Palmisanos ass in court . You
can bet your ass he was repeatedly told he was worthless at IBM and was treated
like shit like the rest of us. But didn't Apple purchase Power PC chips from
IBM? So whats the problem?? Greed? You Betcha. Sam might have to settle for
only 71 Million is stock options instead of 72 Million. How dare an EMPLOYEE
make good. -Exodus2007-
Comment
11/14/08:
What I want to know is this: By law, if a certain percentage of employees
in a workplace want to unionize, then that's it- they're unionized, right? What
is that percentage, and how close is Alliance to meeting that goal? Is it possible..
on the horizon.. or totally hopeless? I've been seeing these Alliance@IBM folks
around for years and I wonder how close IBM is to being a union shop. Please
don't say "every little bit counts". I know that. I want to know how
close it is. -newguy-
Alliance reply: Not close enough. That "certain percentage" is
a bit
more definitive. Minimum cards required by NLRA law, signed
and counted
prior to a secret ballot is 30% .
No union asks for a vote with only 30%. 60% is more like it. Next hurdle is
defining a bargaining unit. Once those are defined, then the count card signing
begins. Once a majority of those bargaining unit cards are signed, a vote is
called. That's the law. It just isn't as simple and straight forward as your
example. We have thousands of signed cards; but they are spread across the country.
We don't have enough to call for a vote in any particular area or potential
bargaining unit. Like I said, not close enough. To get close, you need to help
get people to sign up, and check the box that says you want Allinace@IBM CWA
as YOUR representative. It's up to you. When
it becomes close, you'll hear about it. Your first step is to sign-up and start
organizing your co-workers. If you are anti-union; don't bother worrying about
it or sending your comments here. You won't make a difference.
Comment
11/14/08:
There is an ongoing BM stockholder proposal that addresses the outrage
over how IBM CEO and executive bonus pay is calculated based on pension fund
earnings. It is not specifically a stockholder voice in executive pay but it
it is close in that it spells how it is calculated. IBM has contended in the
past that how they compensate their executives is considered normal business
operations and so far the SEC has agreed that IBM can choose to not consider
it for a proxy vote. But now with Sun and also the baby Bells (Bell System Companies)
have been successful in proposing this it is due time a similarly worded proposal
is submitted for a stockholder vote as well. I reckon we will see a proposal
on this as well in 2009 -execpay2much-
Comment
11/14/08:
Another article
on Mark "the Powermaster" Papermaster: http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2008/11/13/ibm_adkins_papermaster_filing/
This is absolutely hilarious. I know Mark and he is just a good nuts and bolts
engineer and mid level manager. The IBM suit is making him sound like an Action
Super Hero figure. Mark "the Powermaster" Papermaster. LOL I can't
wait to see the outcome of this lawsuit and watch IBM lose with egg all over
their face. -Seymor Butts-
Comment
11/14/08:
"Check
out the recent IBM Insider stock option and share selloff orsellout by IBM executives.
http://biz.yahoo.com/t/i/ibm.html
Wonder what they know that we don't?"
MY GOD!!! Looking at those numbers made me sick. The only people to gain from
IBM financially are the select few big cats at the top. This is absolutely criminal
and I hope our new president does something to stop this. Palmisano, Kelly,
Lowrider, and all the other assholes up there who are sticking it to us are
walking away will tens of millons of dollars in each stock option transaction.
THEY CAN ALL GO TO HELL!! -In Shock-
Alliance Reply: Ultimately, president Obama will probably be able to do very
little, about IBM's behavior and actions. The best action, is still the action
the employees take. That is, to organize and fight back with numbers of employees
demanding a contract and demanding the halt to the offshoring, outsourcing,
and abuse of America's working people. Don't sit and wait for someone else to
do it.
Comment
11/14/08:
More cost
cutting measures by IBM. STG cutting their on-site libraries:
" Dear Rochester
employees:
IBM continues
to examine its costs and is cutting spending in many areas, including non-customer
travel, events and other expenses. As part of that focus, we have been studying
operations of six physical libraries at IBM U.S. locations (currently paid
for by STG), including ours here in Rochester. While more publications are
becoming available on the Web and much research can be accomplished through
on-line sources, IBM currently spends more than $1.5 million a year to maintain
and operate these physical library facilities. While the
libraries have loyal users, we can no longer afford the expenditure when so
many alternatives are available. Plans are to close our library, and those
at sites in Austin, Burlington, Poughkeepsie and Tucson as of December 1,
2008.
The possibility of opening a virtual library that would be available to serve
our entire global employee population is currently being studied. Further
communication on this topic will be highlighted in Rochester Site News and
in employee communication in the near future.
Thank you,
Walt Ling
Rochester Senior Location Executive
Minnesota Senior State Executive
Vice President, Post Sales Technical Support, Systems and Technology
Group"
-Mike-
Comment
11/13/08:
Check out the recent IBM Insider stock option and share selloff orsellout by
IBM executives. http://biz.yahoo.com/t/i/ibm.html
Wonder what they know that we don't? -sby_willie-
Comment
11/13/08:
IBM is in violation of the RICO Act, Chapter 96 of Title 18 of the United States
Code. Racketeering. Any enterprise that has committed 2 out of 35 crimes within
a 10 year period can be charged with racketeering.
Securities
Fraud
http://www.techlawjournal.com/home/newsbriefs/2007/06a.asp
IBM continues to misreport losses, attributing losses caused by foreign worker's
ineptitude to employees of the United States of America to further justify the
offshoring of American jobs and the influx of foreign workers with H1B visas.
Aiding aliens illegally entering the country for financial gain via the use
of a company vehicle, the IBM intranet. Thus allowing illegal aliens access
to private and sensitive data, and transportation of more than company owned
items illegitimately. Our personal information such as social security numbers
now sits in Manila , Philippines . Money laundering. Offshore accounts and offshore
tax havens. Tax evasion. Extortion and blackmail. Forcing employees, threatened
with immediate job loss, to train the illegal aliens to access systems that
contain data that is private in nature, sometimes belonging the government of
the United States of America or to a state government and its private citizens.
Thereby encroaching on our civil liberties in a pattern lasting a substantial
period of time ( 1 year or more). This is cruel treatment and tantamount to
slavery, extortion and blackmail. Trafficking of computer program documentation
created by citizens of the United States of America and intended for use by
citizens of the United States of America . Theft of the intellectual capital
of some citizens of the United States of America , delegitimizing and denigrating
the skills of the workers of the United States of America , deeming their education's,
hard earned and expensive diplomas from the educational institutions of the
United States of America worthless . The perpetrators of these crimes against
the people of the United States of America should be prosecuted to the full
extent of the federal laws of the United States of America . The United States
Attorney should seek a restraining order and seize the defendant's assets. Any
person damaged by the racketeers can sue and collect treble damages.
-just1waiting-
Comment
11/13/08:
http://tinyurl.com/5e9po6 IBM
shareholders outraged by excessive CEO pay and benefits should do this as well.
-Gone.from.IBM-
Comment
11/13/08:
"Seymor - I am suprised by your position on this. You believe Mark
is a good man, obviously IBM thinks so as well. In this day and age of total
disrespect for intellectual property, IBM in this situation appears to be putting
a VERY high value on Mark. It is reported they even tried to offer him additional
compensation to stay. If you believe he is an intelligent man then you must
believe he totally understood what he was signing, and the consequences.Others
have signed this and waited out the year until they worked for a competitor,
he apparently didn't think he needed to. On a message board where people are
constantly criticizing IBM for not valuing there employees, could there be any
better demonstration of valuing an employee than to fight to keep them from
going elsewhere???"
IBM tried to keep Mark but he obviously made up his mind that he wanted
to leave IBM to pursue new career opportunities. If Mark decided to leave for
a competitor, I could understand signing the non-compete agreement. But as I
said earlier, Apple makes iPods and personal computers. This is a market space
that IBM does not compete in. IBM is the "bad guy" in this case. If
IBM can't keep Mark they will make life as miserable as they can for him with
a lawsuit. Sitting on the bench for a year and not working for Apple is ridiculous
and will not hurt IBM in the slightest. -Seymor Butts-
Comment
11/12/08:
I see that the "Blue Harmony" folks in SBY have to pay for the their
Kickoff meeting buffet. $23-$28 for 11/18/08. Can't the head of this "Blue
Harmony" project or Sammy "I just cashed in $74,000,000 in stock options"
Palmicrapo spare a few scheckles and treat these folks to a decent meal for
this "important" project "event"? Oh, gee, I forgot the
IBM Value system is based on their employees spending more and more of their
money and sacrificing more and more so IBM can supposedly save money to increase
"investor value".. What a &^%$ing joke! I ain't paying for the
buffet or going since I don't think the Kool-Aid served with the buffet will
be sweet at all! But, yes. some on this Big Blew harmony "let's make it
finally work" project will pay for it and think the drink is better and
sweeter than that concocted by Jim Jones. -bigblewharmonysux-
Alliance Reply: Why not call for a boycott of the meeting? Not
just because of the meal price; but for all the reasons IBMers have become disgusted
with manegment's 'important events', like layoffs, offshoring, and pay cuts.
Spread the word that it's being boycotted. See what happens. It's just a suggestion.
Comment
11/11/08:
I also dislike the non-compete agreement. One the one hand we are told that
we are at-will employees who can be discharged for any reason and no reason
at the convenience of the employer. On the other hand we are also told that
we can't seek employment in the very industry where we have been developing
skills. It's unfair. -Real American-
Comment
11/11/08:
Seymor - I am suprised by your position on this. You believe Mark is
a good man, obviously IBM thinks so as well. In this day and age of total disrespect
for intellectual property, IBM in this situation appears to be putting a VERY
high value on Mark. It is reported they even tried to offer him additional compensation
to stay. If you believe he is an intelligent man then you must believe he totally
understood what he was signing, and the consequences.Others have signed this
and waited out the year until they worked for a competitor, he apparently didn't
think he needed to. On a message board where people are constantly criticizing
IBM for not valuing there employees, could there be any better demonstration
of valuing an employee than to fight to keep them from going elsewhere???
-Anonymous-
Alliance
Reply: This discussion was moved from Job
Cuts Status and Comments. This thread was steering off course from job cuts.
Comment
11/11/08:
Anonymous: Seymor - what part about Mark voluntarily signing a non-compete
agreement do you not understand? Why do you see IBM as the "bad guy"
in this situation?
Personally, I despise the practice of employers, not just IBM in particular,
requiring prospective employees to sign "non-compete" agreements.
When it's a common practice, what choice does a person have but to sign and
accept what is essentially the power to stall your career even after you're
no longer employed by them?? -irRational-
Comment
11/10/08:
"Seymor - what part about Mark voluntarily signing a non-compete agreement
do you not understand? Why do you see IBM as the "bad guy" in this
situation? Do you own Apple stock or something?"
IBM is the "bad guy" in this situation. IBM doesn't and can't
compete with Apple. Since when does IBM make iPods and personal computers? The
last I heard IBM couldn't compete in the personal computer market and sold it.
You are obviously a brainwashed IBMer. A little competition might help this
big fat blue pig called IBM. I wouldn't mind a little Apple stock. When IBM
gets a visionary leader like Steve Jobs and toss out the self-serving greedy
bastard Sam Palmisano I might consider buying IBM stock again. -Seymor
Butts-
Comment
11/10/08:
Mark Papermaster worked for IBM and his wife (maybe ex-wife) Kathy Papermaster
is still at IBM. I'm glad he was forced to stop working at Apple. He signed
the agreement and thats too bad.. I just wonder how IBM found out about him
leaving to goto Apple, if I quit, like I'd tell them where I was going to work.
-Anonymous-
Comment
11/09/08:
Seymor - what part about Mark voluntarily signing a non-compete agreement
do you not understand? Why do you see IBM as the "bad guy" in this
situation? Do you own Apple stock or something? -Anonymous-
Comment
11/09/08:
Here is the stuff, the cats under Sammy don't want you to know about.
Good IBM managers are leaving for better jobs. They see IBM as a sinking ship,
like the Titanic and want to jump. I know 'Mark' in this article and he is a
good man. IBM is now trying to spoil his dream job. Read below: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334163,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121
-Seymor Butts-
Comment
11/07/08:
IBM on notice in Texas contract: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/07/1107ibm.html
-Neal Watkins-
Comment
11/05/08:
Alliance: Please do not waste your time trying to explain the union process
to -Worried-. He is another poor, brainwashed individual who deserves
our pity rather than our attention. Sadly, in a culture that has celebrated
the word "THINK" for so many years, very few are actually capable.
-gadfly-
Comment
11/05/08:
The Democrats have all said that they supported the idea of the union card check
bill. For those not familiar, it eliminates the secret election and a company
becomes unionized if over 50% of its employees sign a union card. And your choice
is not often made willingly at work - union officials can visit you anywhere,
anytime with a clipboard, a card and a pen saying "you want to join the
union --- Right?!!!". Now that the Democrats will control everything after
Jan 20th, do I have to worry about Alliance thugs showing up at my front door?
-Worried-
Allinace
Reply: You obviously, are oblivious to any reasonable discussion about the Employee
Free Choice Act. Your characterization of Alliance being "thugs" is
simply hate speech against your co-workers; who are Alliance@IBM members. We've
already told people like you that the secret ballot will NOT BE ELIMINATED if
EFCA passes (see previous post Comment
08/03/08).
You don't want to listen or believe us. That's your choice. What is NOT your
choice is to expect us to print any more of your raving and ranting posts on
this board. We monitor every single post that is sent to us. You can be sure
that your "thug" posts and hate speech won't appear on these pages
ever again.
Comment
11/05/08:
Interesting reading regarding IBM's debt! http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/05/technology/ibm_debt.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008110508
-Anon-
Comment
11/01/08:
Refer to
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20081031/BUSINESS01/810310324/1003/business
-Oh ouch in Texas-
Comment
10/30/08:
Jeff, about 5 years ago, my new, out-of-state manager called me on my birthday
to wish me "happy birthday". I'm sure the intentions were good, but
the effect was CREEPY. I'd told NO ONE my birth date. So yeah, I'm sure managers
have access to all kinds of personal information. -Happy-I've been
reading your personal file-Birthday-
Comment
10/30/08:
The second OT lawsuit filed against IBM on April 17, 2008 (Danieli v IBM) is
a class action suit, and it is only for those employees that were reclassified
from exempt to non-exempt on 2/16/08. As part of the November 2006 settlement
of the first OT pay class
action lawsuit ( Rosenberg et al v. IBM) IBM agreed to reclassify to non-exempt
all of the employees they had misclassified by July 12, 2007. IBM failed to
meet that date. IBM did not reclassify the exempt employees who partcipated
in Rosenberg et al to non-exempt until 2/16/2008. Therefore, the employees who
were class members of Rosenberg remained on IBM's books as being exempt and
were not paid for any overtime they may have worked between 7/12/07 and 2/16/08.
The second lawsuit aims to recover the OT not paid to the misclassified employees
during the timeframe of 7/12/07 to 2/16/08, and also asks the court to award
punitive damages to the plaintiffs from IBM. -Anonymous-
Comment
10/29/08:
I didn't get a letter regarding the second OT lawsuit against IBM. I did, however
partcipate in the Rosenberg vs IBM class action OT lawsuit, and I received two
checks as a result of opting into the class. I was very fortunate NOT to have
been victimized by the "pay remix". (Which we all know was a really
15% pay cut.)
Got a letter wrote: "It looks like they are targeting people that worked
OT from July 07 to Feb 08 and then were remixed in Feb."
My question is why didn't I receive a letter? Am I "eligible" for
anything or not? I may in fact not be "eligible", for anything, and
that's fine. However, I dont want to merely assume that because I did not have
my pay remixed, that I'm "ineligible", and possibly miss out on money
that I am entitled to collect. Could it be possible that during discovery IBM
only provided the names of those employee's that had their pay remixed and did
not identify those employee's who did not have their pay cut?? On the second
OT lawsuit website there is a "contact us" screen. But it does not
allow for a question to be submitted. It merely asks for your contact information.
It appears to me my only recourse is to call the law firm(s) or write to them
and inquire as to why I didn't receive a letter. Can anyone think of a reason
why the plaintiffs lawyers would not want to hear from those of us that were
not remixed? -Anonymous-
Comment
10/29/08:
If Obama becomes president, expect to see a very rapid offshoring of all jobs
possible. A massive tax hike is about to hit IBM! -DelaMuch-
Alliance
Reply: This will happen regardless of who gets elected. IBM has been planning
this for some time. Take a look at many of our past posts in our archives sections
and other comments sections; such as Job
Cuts and Status. You'll find that many IBMer's that have posted here, believe
offshoring of the USA's IBM employees is, and has been an IBM Executive Management
goal since year 2000 or possibly before. Tens of thousands have already been
offshored since Bush was elected in 2000. Didn't he cut corporate taxes, during
his two terms?
Comment
10/28/08:
To Jeff who asked about first line managers having visibility to social security
and age/DOB information, the answer is no, they have no visibility. The only
info they get is a quarterly calendar with employee birthdays (no years) and
service anniversaries. They do have visibility to vacation/retirement/hire reference
dates, so some information can be inferred. -Ex 1st line mgr-
Comment
10/28/08:
I was the victim of a recent RA. Will I be able to opt in on the latest lawsuit?
-Black and Blew-
Comment
10/28/08:
Ok. The Republican candidates have finally come out and said:
Unions are socialist.
Universal Health care is socialist.
Working people need to accept jobs that don't pay enough to live on and not
be able to save any money.
Pensions should be purchased or "saved for" by the working people,
not the corporations.
The list goes on....
The Republican
presidential candidate has specifically said; when asked the question about
the Employee Free Choice Act:
"I will veto that legislation in a NY minute, as President..." (CNBC
interview w/Maria Bartiromo 10/28/08)
and he added "It means that union organizers can come to your house and
ask you to sign up and join a union..."
He is preaching the same lie; "the secret ballot will be lost". It's
not true and we all know it.
So..any conservative
union members (there are more than you think) that still believe in unions:
What are you going to do now?
Leave your union? Campaign against EFCA?
What about all of the Republican state representatives (also, many more than
you think) that believe in and support unions?
What are you going to do now?
If you thought the "Bailout" was socialism, then how are unions socialist?
The unions came out against the bailout...
(Now the corporate banking executives are still trying to get their bloated
pay and golden parachutes
because there weren't enough controls embedded in the bailout terms.)
There are many questions you must ask yourself, if you are a right-wing union
member or supporter
walking into the voting booth on November 4th. Either way you vote, you could
be voting against your interests or core beliefs!
I wish you Godspeed -Deja_Vu_1932-
Comment
10/28/08:
I got the recent lawsuit letter. I plan to call. It looks like they are targeting
people that worked OT from July 07 to Feb 08 and then were remixed in Feb.
-Got a Letter-
Comment
10/27/08:
Anyone else get a letter about an OT Lawsuit? Not asking you to be part of class
action - but asking you to "tell us about your experience"?
-anonymous123-
Comment
10/26/08:
Things have been so quiet and less comments posting here, the General section
and other sections, making me wonder (a) our webmaster is too busy or (b) more
IBM employees and supporters care less to comment and post here. -An
Observer-
Comment
10/25/08:
You have work at home wrong - there is NO office space at an IBM site. You do
declare a work site but this SAVES on the cost of also having an office space.
-anonymous-
Comment
10/24/08:
I would like to see a list of what IBM is cutting in the recent cost cutting
moves. Let's start sending items to this comment section. -Member-
Comment
10/22/08:
Actual heard a first line talk of thinking about changing the AWS shift from
2 on / 2 off / 3 on..... A change to the shift SUNY Albany uses of 3 on and
4 off with every other Wednesday. Why??? For the good of the employees. The
3 on 4 off shift is an easier shift to work around for a SECOND JOB. Now that
says a lot about the pay grids !!!! IBM knows the pay is too low to actually
live anywhere near the site. -An AWS person-
Comment
10/21/08:
Many work at home employees also have onsite office space for when they are
actually working onsite complete with phone/Internet service and heating/AC
which costs the same as if the employee was working onsite full time. Where
is the cost savings? I think WAH is justified for some employees while others
abuse the system by spending time doing non-work related tasks with very little
oversight or accountability of their time. -Anonymous-
Comment
10/21/08:
I thought work at home cost was offset by office space IBM was able to reduce.
At least that's what they told me when it was pitched some years back.
-High Mileage Commuter-
Comment
10/21/08:
I'm trying to find out why I lost all of my group life insurance but 5K dollars
just because I'm 65 yrs old. I'm still considered an employee of IBM but I have
been on disability since 2005. I wasn't aware that this policy existed? Is it
true that everyone currently working at IBM who is 65 only has 5K in group life
unless they convert it to term ins at their own cost? If you could tell me where
to find more on this benefit loss I would appreciate it. -Tom-
Comment
10/21/08:
Its true, working from home is going to be eliminated for as many employees
as possible. Come on site or get ready to travel weekly to one. And if you travel
weekly to one, how long before you think Big Blew will say we can't afford it,
move closer or leave? Meanwhile, losing work from home will cost you at least
$6k/yr. Look to hear more before the end of the year. If people don't get behind
a union after this, they never will. A union would be the best thing for the
grunts and the first levels of management. -Job Went To India Along
With My Motivation-
Comment
10/20/08:
"Due to the expense restrictions being implemented across the company,
across the world, all IBM spirit event spending has been frozen."
Just saw this tonight, no IBM Christmas parties as a result. Didn't
the results that just came out state 22 % increase EPS, 20%
income increase, total revenue 5% increase. Too many time an IBM annoucement
of "record years" and a 2nd email about the cost cutting due to hard
times. -ibmCanada-
Comment
10/20/08:
"IBM's Randy MacDonald Named 2008 HR Executive of The Year by HR
EXECUTIVE magazine OCT 2008 " What a joke! I personally know Randy
McDonald and he is a worthless piece of crap. He is another one of Palmisano's
cronies. IBM continues to sink to new lows when some low life like Randy Mcdonald
get recognized. This has to be a crap magazine! LOL -I.C. Butts-
Comment
10/20/08:
Do first line finance managers have insight into personal information such as
age, date of birth, or social security information? -Jeff-
Comment
10/20/08:
IBM's Randy MacDonald Named 2008 HR Executive of The Year by HR EXECUTIVE magazine
OCT 2008
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/ibms-randy-macdonald-named-2008-hr-executive-of-the-year,584153.shtml
My guess would be that HR-Executive magazine did not factor in employee
moral when making their selection.
Also in the "HR
Executive" magazine story: http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/story.jsp?storyId=136568343
One of Randy's
Key Innovations listed in the story was IBM's: "Workforce Management
Initiative or WMI During 2003-2004, IBM asked MacDonald to co-lead a technology
project that would essentially create a single, integrated approach to hiring,
managing, developing and deploying IBM's global workforce. At the time, IBM
needed a more efficient, effective way to find and deploy skilled IBMers to
help solve clients' problems or respond to their requests. According to MacDonald,
WMI allows the depth and breadth of IBM's workforce to use innovation where
it can have the greatest impact for clients. Through 2007, IBM has invested
$185 million in the WMI effort. "WMI is leading-edge, something no one
else has done within HR," MacDonald says." You tell me any major
corporation that has given an HR team in excess of $100 million to build a
program."
I am not very familiar with IBM's WMI, is it even being used anywhere? http://w3-03.ibm.com/services/resources/rm/tioverview.html
-ah_ok-
Comment
10/18/08:
TO:..-Tulsa_employee- >> Oh YES, we are in a recession. Even
though they keep changing the measured items values to try and show growth,
it ends now. It doesn't show that you are in a recession, but that you were
in a recession (back to back drops by general terms) after the depression period
has been experienced. -no-ky-
Comment
10/18/08:
To -Anonymoius- IBM is proud to be self insured. They pay no premium to a Blue
Cross or any other healthcare provider. They just pay someone to Administer
their plan. That being the case isn't it wonderful how IBM looks out for you.
As a retiree keeping my same 400 dollar a month working coverage would cost
me 1600 dollars a month. Love that self insured status. I wonder if we are not
paying the whole cost and then some. Gee, Would IBM take our money, invest it
and keep any profit for themselves ? Would they cook the books to hide this?
-Winning
at All Costs-
Comment
10/18/08:
I saw this story on the Yahoo Finance IBM board. At first I was shocked
and disgusted. Now I have a whole other level of appreciation for the Cohen
& Grigsby video on youtube … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCbFEgFajGU
Human Resource Executive®'s HR Executive of the Year for 2008: IBM's Randy
MacDonald … http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/story.jsp?storyId=136568343
I usually avoid the Yahoo Finance IBM site because of the rampant, petty, infantile
sniping, but every once in a while, like now, there's a real news gem.
http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/Stocks_(A_to_Z)/Stocks_I/messagesview?bn=9010
-HR Elects Satan as Epitome of Profession-
Comment
10/18/08:
"...that has sunk this nation into a recession on the road to
a depression" We are not in a recession. The media keeps hyping an
economic crisis when we're not in dire straits. Obama claims this is the worst
economy since the Great Depression. Did he forget Jimmy Carter & the
'70s? It was far worse then. Let's use reasoned judgement & not irrational
fear-mongering. -Tulsa_employee-
Comment
10/17/08:
I head in my area that want to get everyone back in to office in 3 locations
POK/RTP/Boulder. Luckily for me I live 10 minutes from POK but there are people
all over the country in my area and I'm sure some won't relocate, that is going
to get a lot people to leave voluntarily -Bob-
Comment
10/17/08:
To Anonymous: It's not about ignorance or wisdom. It's an opinion
of the 'proposal ' you site that is the issue. We can argue forever about the
sense or nonsense of the Social Security system; my point was that using a 'portion
' of the FICA tax to invest retirement money at great risk in the current stock
market makes no more sense than what you claim is a burden of taxes to your
children. Your characterization of it as a 'pyramid scheme ' is typical of someone
who believes that "free market" really works. As long as there are
very few rules to govern the marketplace, 'Caveat Emptor ' becomes a study topic
for people searching for a civilized and orderly society. Left to our own devices;
we can collectively succumb to a market anarchy, where you see "smart people"
believe ‘High Risk’ is safe. Why else would the banking giants of
this country; even the world, have, so foolishly, authorized the loans and the
mortgage securities plan that has sunk this nation into a recession on the road
to a depression? Social Security was a playing field leveler for its time. It's
been abused and robbed, many times since its inception. The 'pyramid scheme'
moniker is simply the result of the abusive relationship of Social Security
and several political mistakes and blunders over the past 70 years; from both
sides of the aisle. -oldmanlookatmylife-
Comment
10/15/08:
So in addition to no raise again, I get to see an increase in my LTD premium.
This is mighty generous of IBM. -Anonymoius-
Comment
10/14/08:
The ignorance of "-oldmanlookatmylife- " regarding the
social security privatization proposal is amazing. The proposal was for a portion
of the FICA payment to be diverted into private accounts for those age 40 and
under. It would not have "wiped people out" as you've claimed. As
is, the money is being collected and spent in a massive goverment pyramid scheme
that will require repayment of the borrowed money through a large increase in
general revenue taxes. I don't want to see that burden transferred to my son.
-Anonymous-
Comment
10/13/08:
Wondering...we were told this year we would not be rating managers. Div
16. -Marbles-
Comment
10/13/08:
To: Youmakemewonder, thanks for the smart remark, NOT.
Every fall we get a survey, systemically, to rate our managers. Really! It has
questions like "does your manager make you aware of how your job contributes
to group goals", etc. It ususally comes in early October, thus my question
if anyone knew when it was going to be sent. -Wondering-
Comment
10/13/08:
Interesting online Wall Street Journal article - Employers Rethink
How They Give Feedback - highlighting significant generational differences at
IBM, which union organizing activiities may need to take into account:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122385967800027549.html?mod=yahoo_hs&ru=yahoo#printMode
-MyThoughts-
Comment
10/13/08:
to -Wondering-: That's like asking to fill out a comment
card for the breakfast you just had on the Titanic...are you serious? You make
ME wonder... -youmakemewonder-
Comment
10/13/08:
Does anyone know when the annual manager survey goes out to employees,
so we can "rate" our managers? -Wondering-
Comment
10/13/08:
A cautionary tale: My combined cash balance settlement and 401k
was $850k two years ago. I rolled it into an IRA and proceeded to bulk it up
from there. It actually reached 950 before the crash. Now at 775 it is lower
than on retirement day. I did manage to get some of it into cash before TSHTF.
Now all I can do is wait for the government(s) to get things back on track.
-Ironmonger-
Comment
10/09/08:
Let's talk about IBM's 401k, in light of what has happened in the
last two weeks.
In 2007, the market on October 9th (1 year ago) was at 14,164.53.
For example, I had $35,147 total in my 401k account on that day, 10/09/07.
Today, the market went to 8579.19 a difference of 5585.34... my 401k is $39,347...a
plus of only $4200. Now most people would say that is a
win situation; and I have to admit that I moved all of my stock funds out and
into Stable Fund or the Bonds and savings funds in July of
this year. If I had left it in Large Company, etc., I probably would have lost
much of it in these last two weeks. Now think about what
would have happened if Social Security was privatized, like George Bush, John
McCain, and Phil Gramm wanted to do during Bush's 2nd
term...Me and thousands like me, would have lost the entire ship. We would've
been sunk, period. Even though that didn't happen to me; I
was still only able to make $4200 in a year's time. That means the projected
growth percentage for the total 401k, from the 1990's almost
completely evaporated. I'm sure my example is not for most IBM retirees; but,
my point is that retirement pensions should not be 'risked' in the stock market.
Cash balance and 401k's just don't cut it for long term security. We've been
lied to and sold a BS story for over 25 years (IBM 401k plans began in 1983,
as I recall). The American working people have been hoodwinked by a retarded
P.T Barnum; otherwise known as Corporate America. The playing field needs to
be leveled. -oldmanlookatmylife-
Comment
10/04/08:
Well IBMer's...anyone check where the your Payroll Help desk is
? ITs IN MANILA....All of your PERSONAL DATA is there. Your name, SOCIAL SECURITY
#, BIRTHDATE, ADDRESS, everything. The service is pathetic, they can't answer
a simple question. Watch out ! Your in great risk of ID theft. This all to save
a few bucks and put the employees in danger. OH...by the way, none of the executives
had their data moved there. WHATS THAT TELL YOU ? -mad as hell-
Comment
10/04/08:
-Tulsa_employee: Yes, quite true and good advice. But I think IBM
retirees and those close to retirement are still invested in the higher risk
funds to do the best they can now to outpace inflation and have some money to
pay for rising health care costs that IBM has been imposing on them. Most of
these folks could not have foreseen the burden of these costs and were always
told by IBM "don't worry about your retirement health care coverage, you'll
have it paid for by IBM as part of your overall compensation package as a longtime
employee of IBM". Money market and stable value investing justs doesn't
keep up with these rising health care costs. So it is probably a case of "damned
if you do and damned if you don't". -anonymous-
Comment
10/04/08:
If IBM needs to do another incestuous stock buback to try to artificially
boost the P/E ratio and attractiveness of it's stock and raise the proce of
it for it (like they done earlier to the tune of I believe $11,000,000,000)
and if it finds it tough to get credit for it guess who will lose their job?
(look in the mirror. Might very well be you). If you have a union contract you
can have a better chance of not being a victim of IBM's slash, stab, and cut
personnel policies. Without one your simply a frog in a pot of water on a stove
with the heat being turned up. -creditornot-
Comment
10/03/08:
Silver Lining ? Well...the votes are in and the bailout passed.
But make no mistake about it, our problems are just beginning. There might be
a silver lining in this storm cloud though. The last week or so has seen a tremendous
outpouring of citizen involvement in our government. So much so, that the House
and Senate mail servers crashed. The talking heads on TV mention that their
in-boxes are clogged too. Great! The fear in Washington now is along the lines
of Adm. Yamamoto's famous quote about "having awakened
a sleeping giant". So what now? For one, let's not go back to sleep. Take
the time to write your congress critters once a week or so. If you're involved
in causes, let them know your position. At least remind them of your approval/disapproval
of their voting record and you are keeping your eye on them. It's an election
year so they're more sensitive than usual. (You are registered to vote, aren't
you?) Now is not the time to go back to sleep. -Neal Watkins-
Comment
10/02/08:
If retirees are getting their money decimated by the current stock
market issues, then it looks like they're invested incorrectly. They shouldn't
be in risky investments but rather conservative, income-producing funds/investments.
If you're 5+ years away from retirement, then you can be happy with your continued
investing each pay period since you're lowering your overall cost per share
- you'll do great as the market rebounds. Someone else said that they were moving
their money all around trying to keep it all safe and ended up getting hit?
Had he/she just been patient, continued their dollar-cost averaging, it would
have worked out well over time. As it turns out, those "paper" losses
became real losses. NO BAILOUT!! -Tulsa_employee-
Comment
10/01/08:
The documentary is called "The
Corporation" and I highly recommend it.
the corporation
part 1 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x2qONe-EvE
part 2 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGlfMpYcIOo
part 3 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoVOmZ8W3tg
part 4 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cpYkLkV6VQ
part 5 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eLV92pwNB8
part 6 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa498HbK8YQ
part 7 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRIv5xwlSdU
part 8 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8EfdaThfe0
part 9 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y-cA26DpWw
part 10 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMIHTuZSN-I
part 11 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-nbGrie2Og
part 12 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU5A8J79dwI
part 13 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXEJSWm8HMc
part 14 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxcz_-aS-m8
part 15 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGDKBCdF1S4 -IBM
no more-
Alliance
reply: Thanks for the information. We have decided to let the visitors copy
and paste the link to their browsers, rather than auto-link them here.
Comment
10/01/08:
Ubuntu2u2- interesting point about corporations being "citizens".
I watched a documentary not too long ago which focused on the aspect of corporations
being considered an individual. They did psychological evaluations of corporations
as if they were really an individual. The methods and comparisons any shrink
would use to evaluate a real human being. The diagnosis was that corporations
have serious psychological problems which if found in a real human being, they
would be institutionalized. -dubious-
Comment
10/01/08:
TO >> -Last One Standing- >> As you are probably aware,
these actions have alternative purposes behind them. What happens when the work
function of that new office entity is TRANSFERRED to a new SERVICE CENTER, in
the BRIC ? If they offer you the chance to MOVE ON YOUR OWN, don't do it. Ask
those from IGF what happened after they moved themselves to Atlanta.
-no_ky-
Comment
10/01/08:
-Mule Skinner-: You are right, and it is tragic that the
people you speak of have, most likely, already lost a great deal of their investments;
depending on what they were invested in. I recognize that there will be much
pain. I'm exposed to the same pain. My 401k was nearly decimated by the past
few years of stock market and bond market failure. I scrambled to move my money
around to protect it; only to be fooled into putting it back into the market.
I lost over $10,000.00 because I was invested in a 401k REIT Fund that ballooned
rapidly and then busted, last year.
I'm not eligible to withdraw my 401k money yet, without a penalty. Yet, I sure
could use it to live on while I look for a full time job. I realize that my
previous post was harsh. My point is, this whole economic tragedy must end and
the working people and middle class must join together and stop accepting the
continuous calamity that Wall Street puts us into. We need to get reform legislation
moving to re-regulate what was deregulated in the 1980's. One idea is to remove
the 'citizen' status that corporations were able to get during the 1980's decade.
Corporations need not be treated as though they have the same Bill Of Rights
that individuals do. It's nonsense. The reality is that Corporations do not
affirm a real citizen's rights, inside the workplace. You can't speak freely
about anything while you are on private property and employed by a company;
if that speech is determined to be anti-company. You can't redress grievances
without being punished; even fired, if you work for a company that opposes unions.
Remember the mantra: Of the people, By the people, and For the people. The word
"corporation" is not found, in the Constitution's Bill of Rights.
To change those laws and rules is not regressive. It is revival of the original
intention of this country's founders. -Ubuntu2u2-
Comment
09/30/08:
We had a meeting with our 2nd line mgr. He told us that they are
considering making people go back into the office. The two locations are Boulder,CO
and East Fishkill, NY. Mgmt has realized that there is a greater ability to
learn when you have all the support personnel for the accounts in one place.
It's currently under review, and mgmt hasn't made the final decision yet. So,
yes, they are considering it.... and No, it isn't written in stone yet. The
next few months will tell. -Last One Standing-
Comment
09/30/08:
Ubuntu2u2 -- Many IBMers are now retiring without a defined
pension. What they have instead is investments in the stock market, so that
a crash for them is bad news. These are not fat cats, but people who were forced
out of the defined pension by IBM. -Mule Skinner-
Comment
09/30/08:
This may sound harsh or even wildly irresponsible; but I just can
't help myself. In light of the major stock market crash yesterday and the congressional
denial of the 'bailout' package, I believe we should 'stay the course'... That
is, absolutely DON'T approve ANY bailout package whatsoever! Let the "Free
Market " collapse in on itself. Let the borrowers and lenders suffer for
their greed and stupidity. Let enough financial blood be drained; so as to require
a total transfusion of new economic laws to replace all the Reagan era legislation
that helped lead us to this disaster. We need the govt. to root out the greedy
liberals, conservatives and independents that truly don 't represent their own
party or the American people. The super wealthy must suffer at least as greatly
as working people have since the 1980 's and 1990 's. We need to inspire the
average American worker to revive his/her love of an "honest day's work,
for an honest day's pay". We need to stop accepting the Madison Avenue
BS that permeates our TV 's and the Internet. The selling of upper middle class
ideas must stop, i.e. Hummers, vacation homes, moving millions of dollars offshore
in the Cayman islands to 'protect' it from being taxed. These practices and
ideas must die. I know, I know; pretty radical. But; considering what has occurred
in the past week or two, what I 'm saying isn't so radical. Yes. People that
have already suffered will suffer more. It will be hard and cruel unless; we
work together to change things.
Stop with the Left or Right ideology and get practical. Get the laws reverted
to benefit the majority.. not the minority that control our economic path. Work
with each other to demand a union contract. Do it, don 't just talk about it.
Let 's start using our heads for something besides a hat rack! Call it what
you will...it could prove to be a real "new era " of change for working
people everywhere. -Ubuntu2u2-
Comment
09/29/08:
Work from home is not ending for all IBM employees. Just for some
- certain SA teams, & their management will be required back at the office.-rumor
has it-
Comment
09/28/08:
Heard that work at home was ending. Something called GDF. Back to
Boulder and Fishkill to start early 2009. -Anonymous-
Comment
09/28/08:
It would
appear that Mr Akers' oversight at Lehman Brothers was not particularly acute.
-Mule Skinner-
Comment
09/25/08:
"He
serves as the chairman of the Compensation and Benefits Committee and as a member
of the Finance and Risk Committee." LOL Now I know where these
brooks learn their skills. As CEO of IBM! If I were Mr. Akers I'd be ashamed
to show my face anywhere. These greedy bastards like Akers, Gerstner, and now
Palmashito are ruining this country. Man does that make me depressed.
:-( -IhateIBMCEOs-
Comment
09/24/08: So,
one of our former CEOs is on the board at Lehman Brothers--check out the committees
that he chairs!! Unbelievable....
What is SJP on these days?:
John F. Akers, Director
Retired Chairman of International Business Machines Corporation Mr. Akers, a
private investor, is the retired chairman of the Board of Directors of International
Business Machines Corporation. Mr. Akers served as chairman of the Board of
Directors and chief executive officer of IBM from 1985 until his retirement
in 1993, completing a 33-year career with IBM. Mr. Akers is a director of W.R.
Grace & Co. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the California
Institute of Technology and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as the former
chairman of the Board of Governors of United Way of America. Mr. Akers was also
a member of former President George Bush's Education Policy Advisory Committee.
Mr. Akers has been a director of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. since 1996. He
serves as the chairman of the Compensation and Benefits Committee and as a member
of the Finance and Risk Committee. -anon-
Comment
09/23/08:
To Barged
Away- You're right that energy use is a major and escalating issue with systems.
The article referenced noted that the Google patent also included wave-based
electrical generation capability on the barges. If you look at some of the world
wind maps, the most windy areas are typically not on land masses, but over oceans,
particularly where the colder climates are. Put wind and wave power generation
capability on the barges, tow them to where the waves and winds are strong and
ocean temperatures are cool and anchor them. The wind and waves generate the
power and the cold ocean water can be used to cool the systems. None of the
above prevents driving the labor costs down by escaping countries with strong
labor laws. Another angle is whether the income generated by a barge in international
waters would be subject to taxes. I'd assume that such a barge must be registered
under some nation's flag. The owner could register it under whatever country
gave then the biggest break on taxes. Interesting. -Jack the Pirate-
Comment
09/23/08:
CEO murdered by mob of sacked Indian workers:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4810644.ece
submitted to Alliance
by -bluepiglet- and -gadfly-
Allaince reply: We have been receiving more comments with this same link. We
will not post any duplicates. This one should suffice.
Comment
09/22/08:
Relative
to putting plants on a barge, Cisco (the leader in network switches) has found
that the rise in electricity (power and cooling) costs trumps that of labor
costs, so locates parts of its businesses accordingly. IBM is mentioned in the
article as well. http://www.forbes.com/magazines/forbes/2008/0929/068.html
-Barged away-
Comment
09/22/08:
Angry IT
workers: A ticking time bomb? IT workers are mad as hell and they're not going
to take it anymore. What can you do to keep things from reaching the point of
no return?
http://www.infoworld.com/archives/emailPrint.jsp?R=printThis&A=/article/08/09/22/39FE-IT-management-chasm_1.html
-Reaching the Edge-
Comment
09/21/08:
are program
managers considered managers, or are they eligible to join a union? what is
the definition of a manager - personnel manager? tks -no one-
Alliance reply: "managers" who hire and/or fire can not
join. Program managers that don't hire or fire, can join.
Comment
09/19/08:
Back in 1998, Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, said "Ideally
you'd have every plant you own on a barge", ready to move if any national
government tried to impose restraints on the factories' operations, or if workers
demanded better wages and working conditions. Consider this -
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/googles-search-goes-out-to-sea/
Call it Google’s
data navy.
The search and advertising company has filed for a patent that describes a“water-based
data center.” The idea is that Google would create mobile data center
platforms out at sea by stacking containers filled with servers, storage systems
and networking gear on barges or other platforms. This would let Google push
computing centers closer to people in some regions where it’s not feasible,
cost-effective or as efficient to build a data center on land. In short, Google
brings the data closer to you, and then the data arrives at a quicker clip.
Perhaps even more intriguing to some, Google has theorized about powering these
ocean data centers with energy gained just from water splashing against the
side of the barges. “In general, computing centers are located on a ship
or ships, which are then anchored in a water body from which energy from natural
motion of the water may be captured, and turned into electricity and/or pumping
power for cooling pumps to carry heat away from computers in the data center,”
Google writes in the patent application. Historically, Google has been unique
among the largest service providers in the amount of custom work it’s
willing to do on data center equipment. It’s no secret that Google builds
its own servers and even networking equipment. Microsoft, however, has recently
indicated that it, too, wants to start crafting custom servers for its massive
data centers. The software maker is in the midst of building one of the world’s
largest data centers near Chicago that will be comprised of hundreds of data
centers inside shipping containers, the standardized metal boxes that are used
to store cargo in ships. Microsoft is viewing these containers, each with its
own servers, storage and networking equipment, as modules that can be moved
around to get the most computing power possible per square foot. Most of the
major server makers, including Hewlett-Packard, I.B.M., Dell and Sun Microsystems,
have recently created their own data centers in shipping containers that they
sell to service providers, the military and research labs. Google has flirted
with the data center container idea in the past, filing a patent application
for such technology and building a prototype system in the garage of its Mountain
View, Calif., headquarters. With the data centers at sea, Google is talking
about stacking “crane-removable” data center modules on ships. Along
with bringing data closer to consumers, Google argues that floating data centers
could aid the military or help out during a large event. “For example,
a military presence may be needed in an area, a natural disaster may bring a
need for computing or telecommunication presence in an area until the natural
infrastructure can be repaired or rebuilt, and certain events may draw thousands
of people who may put a load on the local computing infrastructure,” Google
writes. “Often, such transient events occur near water, such as a river
or an ocean.” If Google moves forward with the idea, we may have to expand
our definition of “mobile applications.”*****************
I would not dismiss IBM doing precisely this with its data centers - they build
huge barges/ships with living quarters for staff, move the data centers and
minimal jobs there, move the barges/ships to where ever the laws are least protective
of employees and the environment, or move them to international waters to escape
the law entirely, then abuse the hell of the the employees. This would bring
a whole new definition to "slave ships". -jack
the pirate-
Comment
09/17/08:
"And
he has the nerve to cut other peoples pay! IBM CEO Sam Palmisano took home $18.8
million in 2006 and will receive $34.9 million in deferred pay and $33.1 million
in retirement benefits when he leaves IBM."
You people just don't get it. Sammy Palmacrapo and his merry band
of thieves have been plundering IBM and costing you your job. There is no end
in sight until there is a Union to fight back. Is that clear enough for you?
Please support the Alliance! --
Comment
09/16/08:
Folks how
long have we left in the sinking ship! Did I say that? Sorry was to say Server.
Eire Eire Eire Eire -Larry the leprechaun-
Comment
09/16/08:
sick of getting
pay-cuts and higher benefits no end in site. I just joined alliance -VTIBMER-
Comment
09/16/08:
Any chance
of another "sit-in" in Second Life? -----------------------------------
IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced a three-dimensional Virtual Green Data Center
(VGDC) that gives visitors a chance to learn how to manage and improve their
data center energy efficiency without leaving the office. The VGDC, the world's
first interactive green data center, is on the IBM Virtual Business Center Island
in Second Life® and was demonstrated at the Virtual Worlds Expo in Los Angeles,
September 3 & 4. -Neal Watkins-
Comment
09/15/08:
And he has
the nerve to cut other peoples pay! IBM CEO Sam Palmisano took home $18.8 million
in 2006 and will receive $34.9 million in deferred pay and $33.1 million in
retirement benefits when he leaves IBM. -BloodyWellWrong-
Comment
09/14/08:
"Learned
of a new OT lawsuit against IBM through an HR invite asking for input from a
reclassified employee" Probably for IBM California based reclassified
employees if so. Tell HR NO COMMENT on the advice of your legal counsel. IBM
HR will only use those statements that helps them in any potential lawsuit.
Don't help HR. They don't serve your interests legally or personal in any way!
-just_say_no-
Comment
09/14/08:
Learned of
a new OT lawsuit against IBM through an HR invite asking for input from a reclassified
employee. Has anyone else heard about this? -Exhausted-
Comment
09/12/08:
Just letting
you people know I joined...not because I believe in your cause; but because
I read the board. Read about the "membership drive" and figured why
not..since I come and read this thing from time to time. Thought I'd do the
right thing and pay for the privilege. After all, I don't park myself at the
news stand and read the Wall Street Journal for free. -No faith in
Alliance or anything else-
Alliance reply:
Thank you for joining. Please help us understand why you don't believe in our
cause. We will try to answer any questions you have or supply you with information
about unions, organizing, contracts, health and safety, legal issues etc. Send
us an email:
endicottalliance@stny.rr.com
Comment
09/12/08:
Where can
I find a list of contacts for my IBM site? Who is the focal point of contact
for East Fishkill? Who is the contact for RTP? Poughkeepsie? Rochester? San
Jose? Somewhere on this website should provide a list of union team leader names
and their IBM location so we can stop by their office or meet them during lunchtime.
-Wanna Join Union!-
Alliance reply: There is a list and it is under current
office holders on our web site. Let us know where you are located
and we will put you in contact with someone. Email: endicottalliance@stny.rr.com
Comment
09/8/08:
I understand
from the grapevine that IBM has stopped paying standby pay for national holidays
for the non-exempts. Can anyone confirm this? -gadfly-
Comment
09/8/08:
BC - Remember
the childhood meaning of BM -Dehomag-
Comment
09/6/08:
I found this
site when I reached rock bottom, and did a google search for IBM lawsuits, thinking
that I was finally ready to stand up to IBM and its unfair practices, treating
people like machines, and dumping so much work on those left behind after endless
streams of RA's that only a chosen few are meant to survive. Reading the posts
here helped to provide some perspective, that I am not alone, and that I am
powerless against the IBM machine. I have had enough, I have given enough, getting
nothing in return except the honor keeping a job with an impossible workload,
doing work that use to be done by 5 other resources. When will we all say enough?
United we stand a chance, divided, we drop like flies with only a moments notice.
Join the UNION! Stop the IBM abusers, take back your fair share of the profits!
IMJustAnIBMachine -BC-
Comment
09/6/08:
Can everyone
out there please get at least one co worker to join our Union? We need a grass
roots effort. Don't be afraid. Remember if you don't stand for something,
you will fall for anything
-Hudson Valley Beamer-
Comment
09/5/08:
The quote
from the Market Watch article sent by Anonymous basically sums up what Globalism
is: Not patriotic to one's own country. Why? Because the Corporations do not
give a damn for their country of origin; be it the USA or anywhere else. Wave
the flag all you want, it does no good. The US economy is now so tied up with
a $700B deficit that it will be stuck in the loop of Globalistic favoritism
for some time to come. Unemployment numbers released today reveal how much of
a dire situation we are in. Labor is suffering, terribly. As much as most of
us hate to see the stock market fall; we are stuck defending their super-capitalistic
global strategies because we want our 401k accounts to improve. For those of
us who don't have any 401k plans or significant IRA's; the only vehicle is savings
accounts. If your job is in jeopardy of being moved off-shore or outsourced,
then you are the ones that pay the price of Globalism. Your savings are in jeopardy
of running out. Again, IBM is not a USA lover of any kind. Their policy is simple.
Profit. Until the labor movement can wrestle the means of production away from
Corporate Global and level the playing field, we will continue to fall backwards
in time to the point of initial Industrial Revolution era wild eyed Capitalism
and a wholly disadvantaged populace. Globalism is destroying the world commerce,
not improving it. -Ubuntu2u2-
Comment
09/5/08:
Stockshock
- found this article and thought it would help explain the drop in IBM stock.
Market
Watch link
Here are a couple of quotes out of the article:
"While potentially good news for currency traders, a stronger dollar
poses a risk for companies with a significant revenue base coming from offshore.
A weaker currency is good for companies with overseas sales because it makes
their goods cheaper and therefore more competitive in overseas markets. It also
increases the value of their profits when repatriated into their home currency.
When a sharp upswing happens in a short period of time, the risk is that analysts
and investors may not update their expectations in time for the reports. This
can create a risk that reported revenue could miss Wall Street's targets and
put additional pressure on stock prices." Hope that helps.
-Anonymous-
Comment
09/3/08:
Well...!
We certainly see a microcosm of the "haves and have-nots" on this
forum and others. Maybe we all need to reflect on the definition of a "Civil
Society". This is taken from Wikipedia: --------------------------------
note the mention of trade unions -----------------------------
There are myriad of definitions of civil society in post-modern sense. The London
School of Economics Centre for Civil Society working definition is illustrative:
Civil society
refers to the arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests,
purposes and values. In theory, its institutional forms are distinct from
those of the state, family and market, though in practice, the boundaries
between state, civil society, family and market are often complex, blurred
and negotiated. Civil society commonly embraces a diversity of spaces, actors
and institutional forms, varying in their degree of formality, autonomy and
power. Civil societies are often populated by organizations such as registered
charities, development non-governmental organizations, community groups, women's
organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, trade
unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions
and advocacy groups.
The literature
on links between civil society and democracy have their root in early liberal
writings like those of Alexis de Tocqueville. However they were developed
in significant ways by 20th century theorists like Gabriel Almond and Sidney
Verba, who identified the role of civil society in a democratic order as vital.
They argued that the political element of many civil society organizations
facilitates better awareness and a more informed citizenry, who make better
voting choices, participate in politics, and hold government more accountable
as a result. -Neal
Watkins-
Comment
09/3/08:
Anyone have
a clue why IBM stock $ dropped $3.32 yesterday on USA Dow? Did the blue pig
blow another deal or is IBM so tied in to oil price now? Or are the greedy execs
profit taking like mad now? -stockshock-
Comment
08/28/08:
Yahoo
insider trading shows that Sam and Robert have cashed out about $40M in the
last two weeks. It is good to be king..... http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=ibm
-gadfly-
Comment
08/28/08:
IS THIS TRUE
??? The more people I talk with will not join the union because they are afraid
that their managers are notified if they join....is this true ?? if not that
needs to go on a union paper and put in break rooms -vtibmer-
Alliance reply: The signup forms are union confidential. IBM managers are not
allowed to see them and we certainly don't share them with the company. That
notice is on updated flyers and on our web site. Spread the word!
Comment
08/28/08:
Boeing gives
up on pension plan modifications - union victory! See what can be done!
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ibmpension/message/66766
-Neal Watkins-
Comment
08/28/08:
To -gadfly-
Thats why they changed the logo for means service from the triangle to the lips
from the Rolling Stones albums. Cuz IBM means LIP service. Various theme songs
go along with it. HR's is "I cant get no satisfaction". Sammys is
"Sympathy for the Devil." Payrolls is " You cant always get what
you want." -Exodus2007-
Comment
08/27/08:
Found this
regarding OT in NYS:
Q: What are the
regulations regarding overtime?
A: Covered employees
who work overtime must be paid at a rate that is one and one-half times their
regular, "straight-time" hourly rate of pay. For non-residential
employees, this overtime rate applies to all time over 40 hours in a payroll
week.
For residential
employees ("live-in" workers), this overtime rate applies to all
time over 44 hours in a payroll week.
The overtime requirement
is based on hours worked in a given payroll week. Thus, time and one-half,
double-time -- or any amount higher than the agreed rate -- is not required
simply because the work is performed after eight hours per day or on a Saturday
or Sunday. -CanDoMath-
Comment
08/27/08:
EFK'd - I
don't think NYS law says OT is anything over 8 in a week. I think that's in
CA. I used to work as a contractor on AWS and when our agency changed hands
they changed the rules on us (surprise) and got away with paying us OT for anything
over 80 in 2 weeks. So we went from 36hr pay alternating with 40hr + 8hr OT
pay to getting paid once every two weeks for 80hr plus 4hr OT, still working
the same AWS idiocy with evenings, weekends and holidays shot to hell as bad
as ever but with less pay. Same kind of crap IBM terms a "pay remix".
They all do it and spin it desperately to make you see it as a godsend, somehow.
They must think we can't do math. -CanDoMath-
Comment
08/26/08:
To -IBM_stinks-
: Best of luck to you on your deployment. -Mistressofthei5-
Comment
08/26/08:
I will say
one good thing about IBM. I am deploying with my Reserve unit for 1 year. Unlike
many other employers, IBM still pays me a pay differential while deployed. So
I'll be making about $1,000 extra each month while on duty. Plus I have a position
held for me while I'm gone (in the midst of layoffs). So, yes, IBM stinks. But
I will give credit where credit is due. Several of my fellow soldiers don't
have this benefit. However, I'll probably come back from deployment only to
quit IBM and find a better job elsewhere :-) -IBM_stinks-
Comment
08/26/08:
If you had
any lingering doubt about how this company is being run....allow me to give
you this example. A 31 year veteran was placed on a 90 day plan early this year
for a violation of the Business Conduct Guidelines. The branch business manager
sent out a note to the entire branch to defer their expenses to the next reporting
period at the end of 2007 so the branch could make the fourth quarter numbers.
This is a glaring violation of the BCG as well as a Federal crime. The 31 year
veteran was retired in June and the branch business manager got an "IBM
Means Service" award. -gadfly-
Comment
08/25/08:
My manager
told me today that negative newpaper press articles such as pay cuts in the
Mid Hudson area shouldn't be placed on a wall for others to see and should be
taken down! Any comments regarding your legal right on free speech and company
policy ? Also, for the record are union authorization forms keep private so
IBM management is not aware of who the the person is that submitted the request
form? -Not targeted-
Alliance reply:
Union forms are confidential. IBM will not see them. Regarding the newspaper
articles: You do not have any legal right inside a comapny to put things on
the wall; but if other things are allowed on the wall, the newspaper articles
should be allowed too. We would suggest putting a copy of the Bill of Rights
up, and see what your manager says. There have been attempts by companies to
force employees to take things down. It is an ongoing battle.
Comment
08/25/08:
How can IBM
take 4 hours from the AWS scheduled 48 hour week and put it into the 36 hour
week to make 40 hours? I thought NY State law was overtime after 40 hours a
week! Instead of 8 hours a month overtime shouldn't we be getting paid 36 hours
straight time on one week and 8 hours overtime on the 48 hour week. Totaling
16 overtime hours overtime a month instead of the 8 we will be paid and have
been paid? -EFK'ED-
Comment
08/20/08:
Sent in my
Authorization form, spread the word to your fellow employee's. Layoffs are coming
again! Don't just sit and do nothing, At least sign the form and send it in.
Top brass is ruining this once great company. It's up to us to get things built
back up. Employees built this company and steered the ship for many years. We
gave up the helm to incompetent Captains over the past years. If were going
to get canned lets make it difficult! -EFK'ED-
Alliance reply: Thanks for sending the form. Mass mailings of forms, flyers,
No Pay Cut bumper stickers and other info are going out to workers at EF and
BTV. If you did not get a mailing send us an email at allianceibmunion@gmail.com
Comment
08/19/08:
To Disgused
beyond beleif and LowlySA, I would challenge this to IBM legal and IBM HR if
I were you. The IBM w3 site clearly states"Compensatory time off is not
available as an alternative to daily or weekly overtime payments." And
if your manager tries the AWS line check out the w3 about the criteria, there
is a 20% premium pay for you being on this and if it exceeds 4 weeks it need
upline and executive approval. -going_going_gone-
Comment
08/19/08:
Dear TIP,
The fact that the FAB workers did not hit the Big RED off buttons and shut down
the fab when they got the cuts means a lot. It shows management that the employees
will do nothing to help themselves or others so management can do as they please.
Our fellow workers did nothing when the IT people got a pay cut, why should
they support us. We remain divided and toothless. -In Fishkill-
Comment
08/18/08: Note:
a discussion has started/resumed on http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ibmpension/message/66693
This is about the difficulty of choosing an IBM/Medicare plan. Maybe not of
great interest to most on this board but it does get traffic from lots of folks.
-Neal Watkins-
===============:
Please see: File name = medical.txt
I decided to compile all my saved messages into a single
file. Many of them are from last year (2007) and are intended to show the thought
process that goes into choosing your IBM/Medicare health plans. Of course, the
plans keep changing but I believe the analysis process for us all will remain
the same. I used one file for convenience. You can download it and pick and
choose the messages that "apply" to you. Thanks again to all that
contributed especially Irv for his insight.
Whenever possible,
I will update this file with thread numbers as more posts come in. That way
the file does not keep growing. I would have liked to do this from the start
but I lost the numbers... Of course, no warranty is expressed or implied....;-)
It's a difficult choice as these notes show, made more so by the choice that
locks you in for future events.
Comment
08/17/08:
I was walking down the aisle in Southbury the other day with an RS/6000 display
console. Two IBM management-type "stuffed shirts" walked past
me. One of them said to the other: "what's that?" the other
said not so sarcastically "a boat anchor!". That's
the problem with this IBM. We got naive, ignorant folks that have no real skills.
They are killing this IBM. These two guys must be making six figure salaries
and myself has a 15% pay cut "remix" and I'm making about half of
that. Where is the justice? I'll tell you. I'm in the Alliance. Damn proud of
it too! We need a union to save this IBM. Without a union this IBM is sad history!
All of you that feel IBM doesn't need a union will be history soon. These stuff
shirted types will make sure of it. -Southbury_guy-
Comment
08/16/08:
Somehow folks have the impression that a union is like a corporation. Deep pockets
and unlimited staff to pay for and organize rallys and events. Folks. We the
IBM workers are the staff when it comes to organizing rallys and events. The
union folks can assist some but as they do not yet represent us they do not
have acces to our co workers or our workplaces to do the organizing. The best
we can hope for is guest speakers and brochures at a rally we organize. The
deep pockets are filled with our dues. The more dues paying members the more
support we can get from the union. If we expect the union to do all the heavy
lifting we will never get organized. Understand this is not like two companies
competeing to employ you. This is a group of people trying to assist you in
organizing your current employer to get you the things you want from an employer
right where you work now. When a union is voted in you will still work for IBM.
But you will have a contract defining your responsibilities and your benefits
so you are dealt with fairly and equitably and so you know what you need to
do to remain employed . Its that simple. -Exodus 2007-
Comment
08/15/08:
I hope your rally is planned very soon because your window of opportunity has
already passed in my eyes. I work with these people every day and everyone is
back to the same routine. It is almost like people are desensitized to the whole
operation. the rally should have been the very next day. -TIP-
Alliance reply:
Still waiting for you to contact us to volunteer to recruit your co-workers
for the rally.
Comment
08/14/08:
Well, I guess that I had spoke too soon. Today the standby time got pulled out
from under me. I will now be forced to FULLY realize my 15% pay cut. And my
manager didn't even have the guts to tell me in person. He sent me an e-mail
just before he left for vacation. -Lowly SA-
Comment
08/14/08:
IBM is a hellhole. Sign your authorization card, and let's make this place a
great place to work again. We can do it.
-tai mai shue-
Alliance reply: Thanks for commenting on the authorization
form on our front page. For now, typing in your information, and then printing,
signing, and mailing the form to us; is the quickest way to increase our numbers
toward a vote. Remember: You must SIGN and date the form before
you mail it. You
are absolutely right! We CAN DO it!!
Comment
08/14/08:
"This Time, wage slaves can't revolt.":
http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/14/news/inflation.wages.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008081414
The last line reads:"The American worker does not have a whole
lot of bargaining power right now," says Simons. "We're looking at
the impoverishment of the American wage earner." -Neal
Watkins-
Comment
08/14/08:
Conceptually, there must be some small bargaining units within IBM. Smaller
than a division; smaller than a site; something down to maybe department level.
Without saying where these are, perhaps someone can explain the rules for defining
a bargaining unit. -Xanthippe-
Alliance reply: The smaller the bargaining unit, the weaker your
position in a company the size of IBM. Also, it is very likely that the small
bargaining unit vote, for instance in 