Union tries to organize IBM workers

According to Yahoo Tech: “One message states that IBM will announce 16,000 layoffs on Jan. 23, affecting workers worldwide. Similar predictions are made in other recent posts on the site, which is run by the Alliance@IBM/Communications Workers of America Local 1701, a union that is trying to organize IBM workers.”

“The union, while still in an organizing phase and not yet recognized by IBM, has about 6,000 members, including IBM employees and retirees, according to national coordinator Lee Conrad. But because the union has not reached an employment contract with IBM, there is “not an awful lot” it can do except raise awareness of the issue”.

LayoffBlog.com: Stay tuned for more info.

Rumor: Massive layoffs are coming to IBM later this month

An unofficial online employee Web site, IBMemployee.com, says massive layoffs are coming to Big Blue later this month, according to Times Herald-Record.

“All divisions in IBM will be affected,” says one entry, adding the majority of those cuts will be announced Jan. 23.

“Several more posts say approximately 16,000 employees, mostly in the U.S., will be affected.”

• IBM has more than 386,000 employees worldwide, according to its Web site. If the rumored 16,000 figure proves accurate, then, it would equal roughly a 4% reduction in headcount.

IBM’s been cutting people every couple of weeks, but they’re small, silent cuts. What we’re concerned about is a massive one, according to various insider sources.

Update: Union tries to organize IBM workers

Update 1 (Jan 06, 2008): IBM Employees Buzzing About Layoff Rumors

Update 2 (Jan 11, 2009): IBM approves Obama’s IT stimulus package; $30bn will create 900,000 jobs, healthy IBM

Rumor (Jan 19, 2009): Massive layoff packages offered on 1/27

Update 3 (Jan 19, 2009): Stress levels rise at IBM as word of job cuts swirls

Update 4 (Jan 20, 2009):

• Several sources warn of imminent job cuts announcement.
• IBM Profit Tops Forecast; Outlook Better than Expected, according to CNBC: “The guidance of $9.20 is awesome… looks like their outsourcing, packaging, cost containment strategy is working. They executed really well..”

Update 5 (Jan 21, 2009):

• According to rumor, IBM started to cut sales and engineering positions in US.
• The arguably more-important indicator of IBM’s performance — its top line — fell 6.4%, according to WSJ

Update  6 (Jan 22, 2008):

• IBM confirms job layoffs: “28 out of 45 cut,” according to a another entry, from Austin, Texas. “Young and old, top and bottom performers. Never show me great 4Q numbers again.”, according to Betanews
• IBM employees reported yesterday that the layoffs are already happening in IBM software and distribution divisions in the US and Canada, according to multiple news sources

Update 7 (March 11, 2009): Scattered layoffs in IBM can touch 4,600

Update 8 (March 25, 2009): IBM to Cut 5,000 U.S. Jobs, Shifting Work to India

~ LayOffBlog.com: Please feel free to comment this info and/or send us your updates regarding IBM layoffs. ~