Union: IBM Cuts 2,800 In Sales and Software

IBM has cut over 2,800 jobs in its software and sales departments, according to an organization seeking recognition as a union at the technology giant.

Alliance@IBM, which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America, said that IBM has cut 1,419 jobs in its software division, and 1,449 jobs in its sales and distribution division

IBM reported a 12% gain in Q4 earnings. and delivered an encouraging financial outlook last week.

Alliance@IBM is an organization dedicated to preserving employee rights.

“While our ultimate goal is collective bargaining rights with IBM, we will build our union now and challenge IBM on the many issues facing employees, from off-shoring and job security to working conditions and company policy,” the organization says on its Web site.

Chairman Samuel Palmisano told workers in an email last week that its employment worldwide had topped 400,000 at the end of 2008, up from 386,000 at the end of 2007.