IBM layoffs blamed on offshoring

[Newsjock]

Source: Computerworld

After shrinking its U.S. workforce by as many as 10,000 employees last year, IBM this week may be on its way to cutting another 2,000 workers.

IBM isn't commenting on its latest round of cuts and information about it comes from the Alliance@IBM/CWA Local 1701, which gathers its data directly from IBM employees. The Alliance, which has blamed offshoring for many of the layoffs, has been trying to win bargaining rights for employees.

"IBM is clearly offshoring things where they can," said one IBM employee who received his notice yesterday and spoke on the condition of anonymity because he didn't want to jeopardize his severance. A 10-year veteran and UNIX administrator, this employee said his customer support team once had 15 U.S.-based workers. That staff was reduced over time to just three workers in the U.S., with other members of the customer support team now in Brazil, Argentina and India.

... IBM doesn't discuss its jobs actions other than to explain that they are in response to shifting customer needs.

Read more: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9164379/IBM_layoffs_blamed_on_offshoring

[Skittles]

1. ultimately the "global economy" intends to include no Americans

[ChromeFoundry]

3. wasn't that the plan? n/t

[OhioChick]

2. While Sam begs Obama for bailout.....Disgusting.

IBM CEO begs Obama for bailout

The world's biggest IT services firm fed the New York Times a copy of a speech CEO Sam Palmisano was scheduled to make today in front of the Council of Foreign Relations in New York City. Sam's proposal is blatant: "A technology-fueled economic recovery plan that calls for public and private investment in more efficient systems for utility grids, traffic management, food distribution, water conservation and health care.

http://gawker.com/5078804/ibm-ceo-begs-obama-for-bailout

[jberryhill]

4. That's okay - their staff here is H1-B's

Now they can work at home.

[FarCenter]

5. About 25% of IBMs employees are in the US

From the article --

"As of last October, IBM employed 105,000 workers in the U.S., compared to 115,000 in 2008. In 2007, IBM had 121,000 U.S. employees. It employs about 400,000 globally."

Revenues in the US appear to be about 35%. The percentage of payroll that is in the US is probably similar, since the 25% of workers that are in the US are paid higher wages and benefits.

[cascadiance]

6. So are they a 1/4 U.S. Citizen "person" to allow them unlimited campaign contributions?

Wonder if India will allow them to donate unlimited contributions to their elections since they are as much an Indian "person" as they are a U.S. "person"...