IBM on Drive to Cut Jobs – Senior Workers Express Anguish

The website board on Alliance@IBM has been bleeding from yesterday and their heartfelt anguish posted by workers who lost jobs in the latest layoff drive by IBM. There is little left to be said. High performers and people on the verge of qualifying for pension are being targeted, while the news is being kept as much under wraps as possible. Visit the board at endicottalliance.org to see the bloodbath.

Comments quoted from the board run like:

“13 years as IT Specialist and finally got the ax. I said finally because i have been preparing for this moment for the past 5 years. I am relief that I can start the next chapter of my life without IBM.”

“50% of my department was RA’ed today. A good 15 people. But with every RA, comes a Re-org and with that comes new challenges.”

“33 yrs and Pension ready – Do I still get the severance of 1/2 yr salary?”

“After 12 straight ‘2+’ reviews and probably 8 years of RA manager phone calls/wondering if I was next, I finally get my severance package!”

“just got notified. I am so close to retire… only 10 more months then I can bridge … any one know any legal right I have to get retirement? -TooClose-

Alliance reply: Sorry for you job loss. If you missed the date of your 29th year of service, you will not be eligible to “bridge” to retirement and will lose your FULL pension. Chances are that you WILL be able to collect a “vested rights” pension for the 28+ years service you do have. That amount of pension $$$$ depends on what plan you are in. Sorry for the bad news.”

“GTS Finance here…25 people on list, 24 over 40 years old, many in late 40s and 50s. Nice right? Afer surviving many layoffs over many years, I got the tap this morning. He read it from a script…how sad. This is my 3rd job that has been offshored or consolidated and I’m glad its over! I don’t have to stress anymore about ‘if’ and ‘when’ it will happen to me. Already looking for new opportunities. There is LIFE after IBM. Best to all…… –LiferNoMore”

“I was resource auctioned way back in 2003. Check google news today, NOTHING in either the business section or tech section on this massive layoff. What a shame. Thank Goodness I didn’t go back to IBM when I had the chance.”

“Just received my RA notice this morning in BT/IT CIO. About 100 people on list in my package. –MTA”

“The exact same thing that was done to TooClose was done to me in 2008.

“I was about 11 months away from 29 years. They’re obviously targeting people who have almost 29 years of service, but try to prove that. It sucks that IBM or any company is allowed to get away with this crap and nonsense!! –CloseButNotCloseEnough”

That’s Corporate America.