Welcome to IBM Employee News and Links

News and Comments Concerning ExtendHealth (New Medical Plan for Medicare-Eligible IBM Retirees)

New on the Alliance@IBM Site

Job Cut Reports

• Comment 02/22/14:

  Re: Blue's Tax's "Between 2000 and 2013, IBM received $880 million in tax breaks from state and local governments, mostly via industrial development agencies, to expand operations in New York, said the Washington-based group Good Jobs First." An example is the T.J. Watson Research Center two years ago asking the town of New Castle for and receiving a tax break it was claimed "the creation of 400 jobs". What IBM neglected to tell the town was that the 400 jobs were coming from closure of Watson's satellite site in Hawthorne—about 15 miles away. Net reality not a single new job was created. It was part of an over all cost consolidation. -Liar Liar Pants on Fire-

• Comment 02/22/14:

  Liar liar Pants on Fire: Absolutely right! Is it IBM deception or obfuscation or just plain ignorance (my vote)?

  IBM also bullied and threatened the Town of Yorktown about tax assessments for TJ Watson Research. Such fine corporate citizens IBM is (well, maybe in Armonk still). IBM has lost net jobs in East Fishkill and Poughkeepsie too.

  IBM makes it difficult to prove (but look at the parking lots over the past year or so) since they don't supply site numbers of employees at these sites anymore ("for competitive reasons"). YET they still get the tax breaks (PILOT) since IBM says "they are creating jobs".

  Sure, create one job and RA or outsource or move jobs three at the same time from EFK and/or POK. PROVE you are creating jobs IBM! Trust IBM on their word? Try to get ANYTHING from IBM not for their behalf in writing! -IBMrTaxBreakCheats-

• Comment 02/22/14:

  Is IBM required to give severance pay in the USA? No, they are not. However, if they do not give the pay, they are taking a risk. The risk is that without the lure of the severance pay, the job cut packets will get to the media and people will take them to court for wrongs where they will be forced to present information in public. With the way IBM wants to keep this out of the public eye, I am willing to bet that even PBC 3s get a severance package of some sort.

  As for IBM suing those that do not follow the agreement, I am sure IBM is suing them. Again, they are good at coming up with settlements out of court, especially in states like MN where one does not have to file a case in court to start a lawsuit. For those who do not need the severance money, consider if the cost to your rights is worth it. -Gone since '02-

• Comment 02/22/14:

  @Pants on Fire. There were articles in the local papers about that and some county legislators tried to block it. IBM also wanted the tax break to help with asbestos mitigation during office renovations even though the mitigation has been going on for decades. -Anon-

• Comment 02/22/14:

  I am sorry to see so many RA'd. A silver lining for all of you: Folks in technical areas should be in a good position to find a better job. I was RA'd in 2013. After a few months of contract work for various companies, I've landed my dream job. I make 20% more than I did at IBM, and the environment is so much more positive! Also a standard 5% growth bonus for ALL employees. No PBC B.S. I wish you all the best. Keep your chins up, keep applying, life will get better. I promise. -happy-to-be-gone-

• Comment 02/23/14:

  Here's my layoff story. I got laid off at Bangalore on 14 Feb 2014. I was in the middle of responding to an email from my US teammate, when my second line manager called me for a meeting, and told me that "IBM has decided to reassess its skill set, blah blah, and it has been decided that your skills are not essential in future, etc. etc.".

  There was also another HR guy, who then proceeded to do the paperwork.

  I was given a package amounting to about 5 months of salary. Then they literally "escorted" me out of the building and took away my badge.

  I was essentially made a scapegoat to protect the mediocre people whom the management of another team finds easier to control. (I was in the EDA, and the Processor team's manager essentially controls the EDA.) I got 2+, 1 and 2+ (in 2010, 2011, 2012), and was promoted twice in consecutive years, but this time round, I was given a 3 because ... guess what ... I was "distracted". 2 hours later, my first line manager was also laid off. Now we are looking for new jobs together! :)

  P.S.: I was making plans to look for other jobs starting March anyway, so if anything, this so-called rebalancing only helped me, since I don't need to serve out the stupid 3-month notice period (that's right; notice period is 3 months in IBM India, and it cannot be bought), and I also got the "package". -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/23/14:

  I fully agree with the Bangalore eda person, the Bangalore management promotes mediocrity and protects "yes boss" type of employees. most of the managers made enough money already and are looking forward to risk free life. it's interesting how these low skilled (ms office) people call the shots and decide the fate of the hard working technical work force.

  I hope some accountability is brought to the managers and tech people's ratings; awards and promotions are made based on technical contributions. As of today the ratings, promotions and awards are arbitrary and at sole discretion of manager. I know of several talented people including my tech lead were deprived of promotion while yes boss' got promoted. Shame on the management for losing all top talent and building a laid back low performance work culture. -anon-

• Comment 02/23/14:

  @IBMrTaxBreakCheats, You are correct about parking lots. What media and politicians should do is have fly overs (or drones) take images of site parking lots middle of the day. The Somers facility is a ghost town with one bldg moth balled, all the others have roped off lots. T.J. Watson even with the "new jobs" is never more than 3/4 full. Both sites in years past were bulging with cars parked on ancillary roads as there were not enough spots.

  Same with PoK, Fishkill - recall when I84 was built the Lime Kiln Road exit was added to handle all the IBM traffic. Rt 52 was backed up for a mike in the AM rush hour. Now, pick a spot, any spot.

  Guess her highness worried about finding a spot at T.J. Watson as they built a helicopter landing pad for her a year or so ago. In a 'let them eat cake" moment" While folks were being RA'd there she made an arrival scene in view of all. -Anon-

• Comment 02/23/14:

  Those people who think IBM gives out severance payments because they want to avoid lawsuits are only kidding themselves. What happened when 401k matches were changed to lump sum payments? Did they fear lawsuits and reversed their decision? Nope. IBM has an army of lawyers who probably welcome any kind of legal challenge. You are nothing to them. Just an ant on the bottom of the big blue shoe. Unless you join the union and fight for your rights, your single voice means nothing. -Blue Eyed Blind-

• Comment 02/23/14

  : IBM has laid off more than one third of it's US employees over the last 5 years while growing the workforce overseas. Why does the media ignore this? -Anonymous-

  The answer is simple. They are not laying off the media. It's really not a layoff. When people are laid off they have the potential to return to the same job when business picks back up. What IBM does is called firing. There is NO chance you will return as anything but a temporary contractor. What I wonder is why the remaining two-thirds do even less than the media when it's them who have everything to gain and nothing to lose. -Exodus2007-

• Comment 02/24/14:

  "Confirmed RA in IBM Malaysia, which happened 2 days ago. Around 100+ employees were fired. There is speculation that another round of RA will happen soon." -disappointed- Any idea what is the selection criteria? I know this is part of project Apollo and apparently no country is spared except maybe their new found African market. -1st line-

• Comment 02/24/14:

  So, it seems that IBM and NY are agreeing to retain at least 3100 tech jobs in "the area", including new tech jobs to be created. So, looking at the numbers of employed IBMers today and a refresh of talent/skills...it looks like we are looking at some more RA's to come between now and 2016. It all depends on what is defined as a "tech job" of course. At least, that is my interpretation. This is good news for politicians and young folks who are looking for a nano technology job with IBM in NY, but probably BAD news for many IBMers working in NY today. -Fairness101-

• Comment 02/24/14:

  I do not trust IBM or NYS. IBM to keep 3100 jobs in NY (Hudson Valley). What about the other 4000 employees in the Hudson Valley? There are 7000 employees in the area. -Smoke and mirrors-

• Comment 02/24/14:

  This NY State deal is horrible! What a way to spin something. This is IBM-speakease meaning we are going to lay YOU off. If there are currently approximately 7000 employees in the Hudson Valley, NY area, approximately 4000 employees will be RA'd in order to keep the total number of employees at 3100. Oh, wait; the agreement says something about new hires. That means they will lay off MORE than 4000 and bring in a bunch of new contractors and workers from overseas. IBM lies by omission and spins things to make them look like they are helping keep jobs in the state, but in reality, many more people will be out of work. Don't believe their LIES! -miss_understanding-

• Comment 02/24/14:

  Pok Journal article basically says were losing 3900 jobs in the Hudson Valley by 2016. That's a 50%+ cut in the workforce we have today. Why didn't anyone ask from the Journal "How is that a good thing less jobs and more unemployment in NYS?" -anon-

• Comment 02/24/14:

  Alliance web site now blocked at Boulder CO IBM as of this morning. As the rumors of the upcoming layoff this week flew around the halls this morning, many employees in Boulder tried to access the Alliance Web Site and are now receiving a blocked site message. Several of us had visited the site on Friday 2/21. We feel this is due to upcoming RA and uproar it is going to cause. -ChinaCat-

  Alliance reply: Alliance@IBM's web site is mobile friendly. It can be accessed from your phone. Reminder: Don't use any IBM equipment to access allianceibm.org. Use your own personal phone.

• Comment 02/24/14:

  Wow, these numbers from the NY announcement today don't really protect anybody. There are 7000 current employees in the area. IBM has "promised" to keep 3100 employed in the area through 2016. Plus, they said they will hire 750 in Dutchess County. So, if you subtract 750 from 3100, that leaves 2350 of the current 7000 employed they need to keep. This is not a real good deal for the current employees, is it? IBM could potentially lay off 4650 current employees from the Hudson Valley through 2016 and still be in compliance. Unless they were threatening to completely pull out of the area this year I don't understand how this saves any IBM employees job there this round of layoffs. -longtimebeemer-

• Comment 02/24/14:

  Why in the world would anybody want to work for IBM today? -Former IBM'er-

• Comment 02/24/14:

  I am a former IBMer who now works for an IBM supplier. Big Blue are asking us if we are OK with them delaying putting our invoices into their payment system until April 1st. Some of the invoices date back to 2013. It is not as if IBM is short on cash, but they are clearly trying to manipulate Q1 results to look better than they really are. To those who remain, there is no honor in working for IBM anymore. -IBM_Is_Desparate-

• Comment 02/25/14:

  Gov. Andrew Cuomo's IBM announcement Monday in Buffalo left unclear some details important to IBMers wondering about their futures in a climate of downsizing and important to the mid-Hudson economy, where IBM Corp. remains the top private employer.

  State Sen. Greg Ball, R-Patterson, said: "Anything Gov. Cuomo can do to keep a multinational corporation like IBM honest is to be applauded. That said, this isn't our first time to the rodeo. IBM has consistently accepted taxpayer-funded windfalls while systematically offshoring American jobs, and unfortunately I do not see an immediate solution to this fundamental reality. "The devil will be in the details and if IBM isn't held to a firm standard, they will find a way to wiggle loose at the expense of local taxpayers and employees," Ball said. "That leaves room for IBM to cut a lot more jobs," he said.

  So IBM is committed to preserving 3,100 jobs. Who is going to check that? Is IBM going to release employment numbers yearly? I don't think so. http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20140225/business01/302250016/video-n-y-ibm-deal-where-does-big-blue-go-from-here- -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/25/14:

  How do we really know 7000 IBM jobs are in the Hudson Valley now? Are they actual IBM employees, managers, or contractors in that ESTIMATE and where are they? Show us the number breakdown IBM now. As a NY taxpayer I have a right to know where my taxes are going or not going! -numbers_pleeze-

  Alliance reply: IBM will not show you any numbers that they aren't legally obligated to show. IBM has not released actual headcount numbers of their US employees since the end of 2009. Your right to know where your taxes are going comes from NYS government. If NYS knows the numbers of employees being fired and the actual number of IBM employees presently active in the Hudson Valley, then they should be petitioned by the taxpayers to get that information. Otherwise, you are at the mercy of IBM's "lies by omission" and NYS 's collusion.

• Comment 02/25/14:

  Looks like IBM had an "execution" problem in Q1, they couldn't even get a resource action correct. While taking money from NYS to essentially reaffirm a job commitment that was significantly below existing levels, the media and local politicians widely misinterpreted what actually occurred. Even the Dutchess County Executive told the media that "maybe some IBM'ers would be rehired".

  Now IBM is really in a bind. If they do a layoff they will receive nation wide negative publicity. New plan is to increase the number of layoffs outside New York to compensate. There will still be layoffs in NYS but they will be called normal MIS, management initiated separations that they do every year. Oh yeah (now this part is parody) Ginni will be making a video chastising employees about not executing properly. This blunder was their fault of course. -Execution Problem-

• Comment 02/25/14:

  In response to IBM_is_desparate...so funny that IBM asked supplier to delay invoices until April 1. I am positive that we just heard how unethical this is in our latest mandatory Business Conduct Guidelines class... -Pegeen-

• Comment 02/25/14:

  "I am a former IBMer who now works for an IBM supplier. Big Blue are asking us if we are OK with them delaying putting our invoices into their payment system until April 1st. -IBM_Is_Desparate-" I recently completed the Business Conduct Guidelines video, and it seems to me that IBM is in violation of their own BCG's. -DoASISay-NotAsIDo-

• Comment 02/25/14:

  "Ginni will be making a video chastising employees about not executing properly." IBM now calls this as being "distracted". Question is: distracted? from what? Ginni has to go. She is clearly overly distracted! -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/25/14:

  "Deferment of invoices”—this is more serious than BCG. This represents accounting fraud and is criminal in nature. It's a question of whether the supplier wants continued IBM business or discharge its role as a responsible entity and report the action to DOJ, SEC etc. -WolvesofWallSt-

• Comment 02/25/14:

  -Nervous B- As far as I know, it's IBM policy that new hires under a year are exempt from RAs. My manager told me this when the RAs of 2011 happened. Of course IBM could just change this with no notice. -Schrodinger's Cat-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  IBM Taiwan has laid off the whole Power systems team and the storage team. roughly ~100 people. -Taiwan-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  Redundancies (RA's) are under way in Australia. From what I have heard so far today there are lots of good folks in STG technical positions who are being made redundant. I don't know if the scope will widen to other parts of the organisation.

  As a long time STG'er this looks like the true beginning of the end for the hardware business at IBM. If any customers are reading this web site I would urge you to think twice about engaging or continuing to engage with IBM. Put simply there's not enough technical staff left to give you the quality of service you deserve (and are paying for!). The IBM ship is sinking and I sincerely doubt "Cloud", "Watson" etc. are going to save the business. Good luck to all. -gonetomorrow-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  BTV is being put on hold due to a possible "packaging" of the ASIC hierarchy under foundry allowing it to be sold with the fabs. The rest of STG outside of BTV will still get notified today. -btv_scoop-

• Comment 02/26/14

  : -VTRetiree2013- IBM won't hesitate to RA you if you're on vacation. I was RA'd on vacation once. This was a few years ago...but IBM hired a special courier to get the package to me that day so the countdown for leaving could begin on schedule. I got the call from my manager early, and the package came later on that day. Where there's a will, there's a way. If IBM wants you out, you're out. -Ben Dover-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  Still at IBM—wanted to give a brief comment regarding "distraction": We fortunately see that people are distracted and motivation is low. Why "fortunately" you may ask? Well, I hope that Q1 2014 result will be very bad...hope this will reactivate the brains of our executives. *Cheers* -oliverro-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  UK Apollo already underway. The first leave next week. Seems to cover some brands (STG, TSS, Finance) but no one sure of exact numbers. This is hard environment to work in. Most I know are very demoralised. -Anon-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  ISL Mumbai @Nirlon will be shut down by march end. All employees are asked to move to Pune and Bangalore. who can't move they are asked to leave. -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  "As far as I know, it's IBM policy that new hires under a year are exempt from RAs." -Schrodinger's Cat- I was RA'd along with most of my team 11 months into my job. Many were RA'd within 6 months. This was in 2013. No RA package for me, no severance, they stopped paying into my health insurance two weeks later and my coverage went from $150/mo to $600/mo. We were supplemental so maybe we don't count as human beings in IBM's eyes; just cheap labor they can profit from then dump. Good luck guys. -ibm-is-ruthless-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I do not understand what is happening in the US press and why the people who read this list are not responding. The CEO publicly announces that she and her execs. are giving up their bonuses and every press agency carries the news. She and the other execs then quietly pocket up to $3 million in zero cost shares.

  If everyone who reads this contacted NY Times, Washington Post, USA Today, etc., etc. who carried this IBM CEO propaganda and told the truth about how the company works and the execs. are pillaging the company then perhaps people would take notice. At the moment Alliance are viewed as the bad guys. Everyone get your act together are start to spread the word.

  Read http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/management/executive-compensation/when-ceos-waive-their-bonuses-what-message-does-it-send/article17068741/ and the comments to see what I mean. Don't let them get away with this. -OnThinIce-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  @"Gone in AZ": They actually gave you two days notice? The last couple times IBM has "canceled my purchase order" (the euphemism for laying off contractors) I've gotten at most 2 hours. First of those two my contact at the contracting company called me a little before 5PM (just as I was about to leave for home) to say it was my last day. The next time the various contracting companies for half of our department told us early in the afternoon it was our last day (my company told me by email, not even a phone call). The only reason IBM likes contractors is it's even easier to dump contractors than regular staff. -Contr_in_pok-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  Ginni is in the news today. The business channels are talking about her delivering the keynote at mobile world and the Watson challenge. They probably pushed the RAs 1 day out so the layoff news wouldn't overshadow this other propaganda. -Beensy-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I think Rometty will be an RA victim herself before the IBM Stockholder's Meeting. What a talking skirt (nothing against gender here)she is. -CEOmustGO-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  Don't read anything more in the delay than managerial and HR ineptness. I have seen this before where they have delayed a day or two because of fear of getting sued by older workers or other minorities. They have a number they have to hit and they are making sure they have their butts covered. -longtimebeemer-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I've read a lot about IBM cuts, but no mention of the many contractors at IBM who have been let go. The number is much higher when all reductions are counted. -Andrew-

  Alliance reply: That is because there are no documents that list the job cuts for contractors like they have to do for current employees. Each IBM RA package has an OWBPA report that lists number of employees "selected" and number "not selected" for termination.

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I was RA'd last year, that right after one of many conference calls chaired by an inept VP repeatedly directing the f--king word at everyone on the call. Sad evidence of the crashing of IBM. I am so glad to be out of that company, others achieving same will some day feel the same. IBM is failing, be glad to be done with it. Hopeless . -OutofcrapIBM-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I have worked in other companies. Yes, there were layoffs when trading conditions demanded it. We all understood that, and while it was hard, there was no ill feeling towards the company; it was part of business, and frankly it was important to the long term health of the business.

  What IBM is engaged in is entirely different. The rush to an arbitrarily earnings goal does not make business sense and it certainly can't be confused with a strategy. Buying shares when you could be investing in the core business suggests that there is nothing that the company feels is worth investing in—there are no more ideas.

  I have been RA'd this time and I am entirely happy. In previous companies I have worked for, redundancies came as a shock. No warning. But we understood and dealt with it because we knew 'why'. At IBM, firings are well signposted. Utterly blameless and hardworking employees are wondering if this is their time. Everyone assumes their time will come, they just don't know when.

  Employees are haunted with the prospect of redundancy. People don't expect to retire from IBM. The GDP situation suggests that hard work is pointless. This is not a normal company, and its policies are designed to antagonise the employees and keep them on edge. How can that be useful?

  So, we have 400k employees, mainly demoralised, few incentivised. Are they working at 60% capacity? Who knows. But firing 4% and neutering 96% looks about as much a strategy as chasing $20 in 2015.

  The beauty of capitalism is that bad and unprofitable ideas are supplanted by better ideas. In this way, IBM's contribution to innovation is clear. Smart people are released to places where they can make a greater economic impact. I don't mean to belittle the experience of individual employees, but trust me, as IBM declines, innovative new businesses grow. Be part of it. -HapplyReleased-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I was RA'ed at end of Aug (notified on June 12) in 2013. My manager told me he needed to select one of only two US employees in my program. I was IBM certified Executive PM and PMP with PBC 2+ for the past 3 years. Funding was available because I managed the program finance. OWBPA in 2013 for GBS IGA. RA Selected: 123 Not Selected: 494 Total: 617. - RA'ed 3Q in 2013-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  My nerves are frayed. I need a glass of wine. This is so unfair. I didn't sign on for this. I signed on in 2001 because IBM promised me a CAREER. I promised them my dedication, loyalty, honesty and willingness to do anything I could to get the job done. Sadly, this arrangement has turned into something unfair and driven by greed. IBM's vision is far away from retaining and gaining more customers. It is fixated on Wall Street. Along the way IBM lost its soul to the street, along with it went their reputation for innovation. IBM is just that...an International Business MACHINE. No heart, no soul. Just a old greedy fat lazy bastard of a machine. -DownWithGinny-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I left voluntarily in mid 2013 only after 1.5 yrs. It became apparent to me just after 6 months or so that the intimidation from my FLM for above average performance and a PBC rating of 2 that I could be on the next wave out, and that was no way to live. For those about to be RA'd, yes it might sting initially, but my hope is that you land in such a better place, you really don't want to rot there waiting for your turn. -LongGoneInCali-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  Redundancies in Australia across SWG & STG have started this week. My role was made redundant on 31st December and the redundancy program is fortuitous for me as I was destined for nothing but many others are hearing the news this week with 4 weeks deployment notice. The selection of those made redundant does not make sense with many being talented, energetic, knowledgeable people in their field. May we all see this as an opportunity to release the shackles and explore new opportunities. -At Peace-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I been through layoffs at company that wasn't IBM. The day it happened, all the execs were there and were as open as they could be. An "all employees" email went out explaining what was happening. An all-hands meeting was held after it was completed. The execs explained why they felt they had to do it, that it was over for the foreseeable future and articulated the plan going forward. They encouraged the remaining employees to reach out to those who were let go and check they were doing OK.

  That's leadership. No one liked the layoffs but everyone understood and got back to work with a new purpose. The IBM execs are cowards, hiding under their rocks. -Hide under a rock-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I was at my dad's side for month before he passed in early June last year (very nice of my mgmt team to support that). The following week kids and I were at Disneyland where I got the call that I was part of permanent layoff. I was expecting it and grateful not to be tied to IBM anymore. I have part time work in related field now as a contractor (not with IBM- with a company that still has soul).

  Yes it can happen on vacation. Yes it can happen on leave. Don't take it personally; no one is safe or special. At some point you will fall within desired demographics and you will be gone. I had been there 33 yrs with great reviews most of my career. Happier as a part timer, getting sleep and health. Peace be with you all. -Brenda-

• Comment 02/26/14:

  I've been here since the mid-80s.... my parents were both IBMers.... I always said I would work hard and go 'down with the Titanic'.... I'm hearing 'Nearer My God To Thee' and I'm running for my life vest.

  This is so depressing. I've worked my tail off for all these years, and I have gotten nothing but harassment, demoralizing messages from management, and a carp-ton of depression. I will be relieved if I get the ax tomorrow. Thank God I've been socking away for retirement like a friggin squirrel. -beenhereforever-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Just looking at these numbers posted by "RA'ed 3Q in 2013": RA Selected: 123; Not Selected: 494; Total: 617.

  So, this is 20% for GBS IGA? Wow, no wonder it's so awful here. I also work in GBS IGA—please let the guillotine fall tomorrow, and let it be quick. It's getting more and more clear that all of GBS IGA in the US is damned. Just when I think it could not get worse, it gets worse. It is an incredibly demoralizing organization, full of political slimeballs and dishonest people, desperately climbing all over each other, trying to stay employed. I've had enough of the games here. Bring it on. -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I experienced the Hudson Valley RAs in 1993 and 1994. By far these two events were the largest to date. It took some time to deal with those events since we lost buildings full of people in one day, as if they all died in a plane crash. But back then IBM lost billions. The cuts were painful but necessary. There was so much fat in the company back then.

  These RAs lately are borderline criminal. I don't know how the CEO and her cohorts can look themselves in the mirror everyday, and I don't know how the board and Wall St continue to give her a pass. Where is the organic growth?

  I got RA'd last summer and now work for a vendor doing the same thing I did before, making about the same amount of money. I don't know how they pulled that off. Good luck to all out there today. Be mentally prepared and you will come out of this stronger than before. -Still_Blue-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  My meeting to get fired is 1 hour and 25 minutes away, that is unless she reschedules again, it was supposed to be yesterday afternoon. She's evaded me for several days now and when I questioned her about a rumor she almost tore my head off. I went through this once before (as a 1 performer) and found another job internally. This time, I don't even care to try.

  I feel sad that I will be leaving many trusted friends and colleagues, but elated that I no longer have to work with many others that will never again be in my contact list. I do know there is hope, I've been actively looking for other employment for several months now and expect to hear today from a company that actually values what I have to offer.

  The only thing I want to know now is what does the package look like and where can I sign. Good luck to all of those who 'have the call' today. I promise you there are companies out there that want and value you. -AlmostGone-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I left IBM in July 2013. I am thinking about all US IBMers today since I know that anxiety that you are feeling. As others have said, life it so much better on the other side so consider it a push in the right direction if you get RA'ed today. If you don't get RA'ed today, I would still highly recommend that you put some safe guards in place so you are ready when the time comes.

  First, consider moving you healthcare outside of IBM if you don't have any pre-existing conditions (now). It is only harder to change later and COBRA is a complete joke.

  Second, get term life insurance outside of IBM instead of IBM GLI. Once again, it only gets harder to qualify as time goes by. I speak from experience.

  IBM caused me to have to go on anti-anxiety, sleep and high blood pressure medication and that was held against me in my health exam for both health and life insurance. If you haven't been driven to that point yet, the time is now to increase your independence from IBM. Best wishes to you all! -BlindSidedinRTP-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Rochester Feb 27, 8 AM. One by one in alphabetical order each person is getting called in to the managers office. It is ON. -Still Here-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  After 17 years I just got relieved of duty with no real reason. IBM promised me a career not a job and I gave them everything and drank the kool aid. I would encourage no one to work with or for them. - Antrhony-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Got a 20 min meeting invite last night from my 2nd line; I will be RA'ed today. I work in RTP NC in GBS...will post more after today's afternoon call -freeFromIBM-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  After almost 20 years, the last few being utterly ridiculous I am gladly taking IBM's package and heading for the door. Onward to greener pastures. I hope others affected share my attitude toward this action. It's Liberation Day! -DancingOutTheDoor-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Got RA in Tucson. STG. Typical severance, 1 week per 6 months worked from most recent date of hire. -Tucson-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Are we about fed up with this treatment. This site slows down to a crawl telling me IBM'ers are coming here in droves to find out what is happening. Management teams aren't talking. Will you please wake up. I finally did. After years of looking at this site and thinking IBM had my best interest at heart I finally joined.

  They do not. They will continue to take away everything the employees have. Then reprimand us for being distracted. Enough! Support this site. Join! Tell your co-workers. IBM is not looking out for you. Management gets rich on the backs of employees.

  I have been covered by IBM insurance since birth. Second generation. My father was assigned his position by Tom Watson Junior. Who by the way is turning over in his grave. Respect for the Individual. My rear end. Join the Alliance!! Put some fear into IBM! Bring back the workers that made the image this company is today. I've Been Misled-IBM -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Confirmed 550 people being let go in Rochester -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Entire IBM AR team level 6 people RA'd today. Probably 75 employees in Integrated Supply Chain - CSO. Work will be in Mexico. Sad day for all my friends and coworkers. -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Just had my RA call, have 21 days to sign the 'package', last day will be March 31st. I am a consultant in GBS US...onto greener pastures! Liberation Day indeed. -freeFromIBM-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Can confirm STG layoffs. At least 4 from my team, one more in another team. Trying to secure a package to send in. How long will IBM survive is the remaining question now! -IrrelevantBM-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Just let go after only eight months. I was told to move my relocate my family but I didn't. Good thing. I knew there was something unsettling about IBM front the get go. Just give me my crappy severance and screw off IBM. -Bamboozled in VT-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Looks like my whole team got the axe (about 5 or 6 of us), less than a year after formation. Not sure who's going to be left to turn out the lights, as even last month I was working with people trying to cover what was left empty after the LAST round of layoffs. -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I was RA'd today, CHQ. I am honestly not quite sure who I am more sorry for...myself or the colleagues I leave behind. Morale in the company is so bad with so many working double and almost triple jobs. Surprisingly all I feel at the moment is relief. -Bewildered-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few or the one. Gin—is the one. At least I got to work for IBM when IBM was IBM. Respect for the individual is no longer in practice. -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  A bunch laid off in Poughkeepsie Manufacturing, engineers to operators. Thanks Cuomo. They grab the tax money and keep screwing the people for their own greed! -Joe-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Just lost my job after 32 yrs and 7 months. So much for getting great PBCs that still get you RAed ! -Dedication is Meaningless-

  Alliance reply: Sorry for your job loss. To all: We need to know your division, location and if you know how many have been cut. It appears that the RA packs for this time have had the OWBPA report (ages/title/number selected) stripped from the document. IBM does not want anyone to know how many are being cut.

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I thought the release of OWBPA was required by law, but not sure if it varies by state. The reasoning is supposed to be that you can't give up your right to sue for discrimination when signing the severance letter if stats on age, titles, etc are not disclosed. The agreement essentially becomes invalid. How can you determine discrimination when the statistics are withheld? That has been the rule anyway. I wonder if this possibly varies by state, or is it because IBM just lost an age discrimination lawsuit. Too all of my fellow IBMers who have been cut today, you have the right to OWBPA information! Good luck to all of you -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I guess what they mean by "IBM is addressing concerns raised by employees that the age/title information IBM previously provided infringed on employee privacy," is that employees like Ginni would prefer to keep the numbers private, so, she voiced a concern and a policy was born! -whatever-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Just got the axe. 55 yr old, GBS, 3 yrs with IBM. 3 weeks severance! -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Storage San Jose hit too, no numbers -JustInTyme-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  RA from the software group, cloud computing. -Chopping Block-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I was quite prepared to go quietly in the night, but IBM's casual disregard for the law has me pissed. I had a brief conversation with an employment attorney this afternoon. He's very interested in discussing a possible action based on the lack of OWBPA disclosure. He said we might want to wait until after we're within the 21-day window of 3/31, but I'll learn more on Tuesday. -Tom-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I am not a lawyer but I think if IBM laid off more than one person over 40, they are required by law to provide the OWBPA information to the over 40 individuals affected. Maybe somebody can look this over.

  http://www.troutmansanders.com/severance-agreements-for-employees-over-40-understanding-the-older-workers-benefit-protection-act-06-04-2012/ -Longtimebeemer-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Manager told me today I was not being RAed "this time". Was trying to figure out if he's a jerk or giving me a hint. Have decided it's both. Refused to say how many were affected in the department, but clearly there will be some. -still_suffering_in GTS-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I got RA'd this morning after 14.5 years service. As I look back on my IBM career I see it as mostly a waste of time. It was great in the beginning but in the last few years I haven't worked on a good project. I got a paycheck and that's the only reason I stayed. More than half the people I enjoyed working with left long ago. I'm somewhat relieved as I wanted to leave anyway so the package just makes it a little easier. I'm from GBS AIS, Div 5. -SawItComing-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I was just back from maternity leave on 14 Jan, and laid off today. At least 10 people were fired today in my office. All the jobs are going to Mexico. And we get to train those replacements before we leave. -Mimi-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Boulder folks hit. Technical PMs, DPEs and other. IGA moving a dept to Ireland to exploit tax advantages. -Boulder based-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I work(ed) for RSD. 38 years with IBM, 60 years old. Got my RA today. I delayed getting surgery because of workload. I scheduled it for March and then get this news. They won't release ages because it is definitely aimed at getting rid of the older employees. This is not IBM anymore. -Linda-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  After many years of doing what I thought was the "right" way to work for a company, I am shown the door with indifference from management for past accomplishments. RTP IBM'er for many years in Div 7T. I was not amazed why so many people from China (Lenovo) hit my LinkedIn page in the last couple of weeks? Interesting? Sad day for me, I worked so many hard hours over the years to meet project milestones. So many invention patents and disclosures. Always played as a team member. Oh well...off to the next chapter! -TheGoodhasGone-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  If only our clients knew how scared and demoralized we are and how much time we spend on this site trying to get any kind of info on RA's we should be getting from our management. -Anon-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  While I am not an attorney from everything I've read not including OWBPA report violates the law. Any time more than two people are let go they need to provide the information that was in those OWBPA reports. My suggestion is some of those affected file a complaint with the Labor and Justice Departments as this won't be the first time that IBM has thumbed their nose at US Labor law until called on it. -anonymous_retiree-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  All in Houston and Louisiana that were in not accepted for Toshiba are laid off—also guy from Beaumont. It was expected. -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Almost 20 years in, fired yesterday, not even so much as a 'thank you for devoting most of your adult life to IBM'... not that I'm surprised. STG (Hardware) in Australia has been decimated; other areas, too, including SWG (Software). As usual we don't know the real numbers. It's a common theme—the strongest feeling I have is one of relief. Relief that I'm now on my way out of this wretched place.

  The glory days are gone folks—IBM is becoming a shell of its former self. My heart goes out to those poor folk who still work at IBM and have to put up with all the 'stuff' that is showered down on them from on high. I also pity our customers; in the field IBM technical staff have been cut to the bone (and beyond actually in some cases—down to ZERO). How does IBM expect to support these customers? How can they keep taking customer's money and provide such a shoddy service?

  Oh that's right; because decency and ethics was replaced by greed some years back. Congratulations IBM on creating an absolute army of former employees who totally despise you and will do everything in their power as customers or competitors to undermine and eradicate your business. As the saying goes "They that sow the wind, shall reap the whirlwind." IBM's day of reckoning is coming—and it will be coming at lot faster than a lot of people think. -theend-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Div 53, USA A/R team—me and many friends—those i know 50+ yrs old. 33 years in IBM—they have a new acronym ... -RA Retiree-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Several managers flew into New York sites (Poughkeepsie, Albany) to lay off employees on the 27th. Due to political pressure, Apollo was called off in the state of New York and they had nothing to do! Beware to employees in other states—you will be RA'd instead to make up the difference! -Rochester RA-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  In response to -User-: I worked for IBM Sterling and was let go last July 2013. Last year my manager had our department color Easter eggs two days after Easter. It took over an hour to color them and with my manager's permission I took pictures. I then created a slideshow and put it on YouTube. My simple-minded manager didn't realize you were supposed to boil the eggs first and the color didn't really take. Here is the video of our hard work. GLAD-TO-BE-GONE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIXP2rt1H6Q -Bill Horn-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  Got the boot today too. No pre-planned meeting on the calendar although I could feel it coming. Almost 13 years. Sad day but think I'll be happier in the long run. Division 1G/CHQ/CIO -Under 40-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  The hardest part for me is the realization that the Business Conduct Guidelines are quite possibly the most concrete example of "protesting too much" ever written. The disgusting greed-mongers running the place couldn't possibly know less about conducting business in accordance with such guidelines.

  I read and signed off on those guidelines a couple dozen times assuming that those overseeing the writing of them were model citizens worthy of my respect. It turns out they're worse than wolves in sheep's clothing. They're vile, in the same league as a Bernie Madoff—complete and total waste of the human genome. May they rot in a place that the "distracted" in hell couldn't even conceive of. -Sorry Old Sap-

• Comment 02/27/14:

  I was two weeks from a new job role within IBM, a new dept...now suddenly that job has been eliminated and I'm RA'ed. They even let me move offices for crying out loud! I'm a 2+ performer. I feel totally shocked and like the rug was pulled out from under me. I was let down by my current manager, and when I went to try to leave, I've been let down by the new manager as well.

  Some have said I have grounds to go to HR, but is it worth the fight? Maybe on principle alone. But, maybe it's time to move to a new company who treats their employees better than IBM does. I've also heard several names of co-workers hit and I'm just shocked...so, I'm not alone and I'd rather be hit than someone with children. -LaidOffinTucson-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Did anyone actually sign the "Covenant not to Sue" that you were given today? If not, the mandatory OWBPA data will probably be attached to the copy you actually sign weeks down the road, at which time IBM Management is calculating that a lot of the indignation over this latest mass-firing will have dissipated, and any adverse publicity will be significantly muted. -Voting Alliance Member-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Donated today in honor of those RA'd. Lost many in GBS and GTS. Soon there will be more managers than resources as more carnage to come. Your corp does not respect you. Respect yourself and organize your thinking with others. Maybe they will hear the voice of many over the one. -Blue @IBM- Alliance reply: Thank you for your support. It is appreciated.

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I was working on a critical customer RFS that was understaffed to begin with, very high visibility, with penalties, and we could not get additional resources. I didn't even have a backup for what I was doing. I can't see someone stepping in and doing what I was doing. This will definitely have a negative impact on the project and the customer. It doesn't make sense how they make the cuts. More chaos at IBM. -SurpriseCut-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I was RA'ed yesterday in RTP. I was the only person in my dept left in the US. ISC DIV 47, System X. I had 31+ years. -Tired of IBM-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Here's a classic. The Managing Director in Australia had the top managers in the country all flown to Sydney for a presentation. One of those managers was RA'd while there for the presentation. I ask anyone to justify that if you can! It's clearly not about saving the company; it's about saving a few people's (the very few right at the top) retirement fund. -Maybe Next-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  My heart goes out to all of you that were surprised yesterday. I'm still here, almost 30 years, but I'm sure my days are numbered. There is absolutely no respect for the individual left in this company. Very sad. -Long time IBMer-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  There are six of us at the IBM Center for Microsoft Technologies in Kirkland, WA that were RA'd yesterday out of a total of about 65 people. Four of those folks are in System x and PureFlex firmware development. So yes, the pending sale to Lenovo did not forestall the ax. The other two people are also in STG. Age breakdown—four are 50+, one 40+ and one 30+. We also share facility with about 30 or so folks from the Software group. No words on what happened there. -Red Pill Blue Pill-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  -Waiting4Lenovo- My understanding is that no System x employees are affected until Lenovo and IBM create the in-scope list of the 7500 moving to Lenovo. The remaining 13,000 or so System x employees will be shown the door; hate to the bearer of more bad news but that's reality at Big Blue. Good luck to all; the ones leaving us and especially the ones left behind. -Anon_X-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  After 30+ years and a stellar career of accomplishments and value for the business, and upon recently taking another job, I was told I was being RA'd. For most of my career I have to say I was treated very well and had outstanding managers. I recently moved out of management, at my choice, and because of my stellar performance thinking it 'safe' to try something new. What a huge mistake!

  What I didn't realize was just how bad some of IBM's managers had become and how 'little' they are (big egos, hurt easily = rain of hell upon employee). Wow! In any case, trying to decide what I should do next. I don't really need the severance; I hate to give it up. I want to fight as I feel wronged, like so many others. But I do know fighting is very expensive. In any case, thinking next steps. -Sad in Vermont-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I finally joined the union today. The last straw was removing the OWBPA reports, closely followed by all the spin around "new" jobs in NY. The lying and silence has to stop! Needs of the economy and change might require new skills in new places but the sun needs to shine on how all of this change gets executed. Otherwise all the poor graduates who get sucked in will waste their lives on false promises like those of us who wake up with more than 20 years of service. Best wishes to all that got the bad news yesterday. The rest of you do something and join now, -Awake finally-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  To answer a few questions below I am with STG sales. I did hear about a few X raps getting hit. I thought they would have been safe with the Lenovo sale but apparently not. I also heard the entire US accounts receivable group was eliminated. If you know anything about IBM invoices, they are very difficult to understand. Good luck to IBM collecting payments when the work is being done offshore.

  I just don't see things getting any better at this company without a change of the entire leadership team. We need someone with a vision. Unfortunately, it is probably too late as the damage has been done through the years.

  For those that remain, I would compare IBM to a concentration camp where you are just waiting to be led to the gas chamber. You never know when it will come and it makes no sense. I can honestly say I am embarrassed to work for this company the way we treat our clients and people. Time for me to move on before my number is called. Good luck to all down with the Fuhrer -embarrassed-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  @-Anonymous- I was laid off in July 2013 after receiving a PBC 3 and trying to appeal it. The process was very involved. I invested tons of time and emotional effort into it and resulted in NOTHING but aggravation. Not worth it. Good luck to you and all who are being let go. -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  -FYeahI'mDistracted-: FHA requirement is 15 years IBM employment service AND at least 55 years old to qualify. I don't think IBM takes the severance into account to make it to 15 years. Yes, it would be fair, moral and empathetic of IBM to do it so those can get the FHA when just falling short of the requirements but IBM is a beast and a nasty unconscionable animal at that. -FHA'ed-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Folks, I was let go in 2012. This is nothing new. It pains me to see IBM employees have not embraced the union. if you want fair treatment it is your only hope. Keep suffering or unite! I now work in a union workplace - LOVE IT! -Vickie-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Boulder layoffs are happening today and I was one of the lucky ones selected. Like the others no OWBPA numbers. As I'm over 40 I asked my manager why no numbers on total effected and since he didn't know he is going back to ask (I won't hold my breath for a response from him). Like I and others have said, IBM in sinking over the executives greed. If you want any stability in your life or even want to see IBM come back from the dead, join the Alliance NOW! Alliance, thank you for all the support and information you provided over the years. I'm glad to have been a proud member of the Alliance@IBM. -Robert-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Sad in Vermont - If you don't need the severance go ahead and take it and then use it to sue them for age discrimination. Since they didn't include to OWAPA documentation as required by law, the agreement you sign not to sue is null and void. we need somebody who received one of these packages to sue them in court. Read this: http://www.endicottalliance.org/ibmclaimreleasefailure.htm -longtimebeemer -

• Comment 02/28/14:

  The NY tax deal specifically mentioned "technical jobs". From what I heard, technical jobs in the Hudson Valley were removed from the RA list, but non-technical people were still let go in the Hudson Valley. -ProudMember - EF-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Got the RA call yesterday morning. Div 7 Security Specialist, out of RTP, age 57 with 32 years of service. 26 weeks sev pay. -Bill-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I got the axe after 28 years in 2009. Didn't matter that I had worked my tail off, made many sacrifices in my personal life, received great feedback from customers, got stellar performance reviews. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and nothing else mattered. My heart goes out to all of those affected by the current RA. Blows my mind that the OWBPA info was not included—this can't be legal. IBM has become a joke and the senior managers running the place are despicable, soul-less creatures. Can't wait until it happens to them. -Beenthere-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I am a 17 year employee from Canada who was let go yesterday with 30 days notice so I will be done my IBM career with IBM Canada Ltd. on March 28th at 49 years old. -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Where is my damn RA? I received a 3 due to increased quota of 3 handouts required this year. So, I should have been RA'ed. Why not? Is it because they plan on sticking me with another 3 next year and forcing me out without severance? Nice trick, IBM - first 3 after 25 years. How fishy is this? IBM is trying to rob me of my severance. -Anonymous-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Word on the street is that NY was spared from the RA. I've heard from a few folks in Pok and Fishkill that were RA'd but they worked for a department/manager from another state, not NY. -JoeFriday_JustTheFacts-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I was told that all AR collectors in the US were affected. Many collectors in Canada were affected too. Jobs are moving to Guad, Mexico. -Rea-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I hear no mention of East Fishkill, NY. For the record, there were cuts there yesterday, some in my own department. I was told I was safe, but many of us are looking to move on after this scare. Very random; think you're safe, think again. -Anon-NY-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I'll be honest that I don't have great hopes for organizing IBM or making much of a difference in Roadkill 2015 agenda. Any chance of changing IBM's direction will have to go through the courts. That said, I really appreciate the information that the Alliance has gathered and shared about what's truly going on. I've made a donation to support your on-going efforts. -Anon-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Hundreds permanently RA'd in STG Tucson lab. Managers targeted band 8 & 9 engineers. IBM has lost talented technical people who have contributed for many years. Key product developers leaving with impact to product quality and ability to deliver future products on time. System Test lab hit hard also. List being worked on for next RA. -Sad times in IBM-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Comment 02/28/14: What does the CEO and the other execs. see for the future of IBM and its share value? Take a look at Pick your favorite exec. and see what they think the future holds. There seems to be a common theme. http://tinyurl.com/paeqprd -OnThinIce-

  I just checked out the executives and their stock status through your link, they have all been granted shares worth millions, as of 2/1...so much for no bonuses and so much for true teaming. I guess they feel they "deserve" their compensation for some reason but they are really acting in a most brutal and selfish manner...taking millions in compensation, then justifying the termination of hardworking, dedicated and loyal employees. BTW, RAed last July; life is much better now; most in high-tech now see IBM as a joke. -REBIRTH-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  55+, solid 2+ performer, replaced by someone in India who is not qualified -Sigh-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Let's remember the real reason IBM has gotten into this steady cycle of arbitrary firings during good times and bad. It's all about Shareholder Values. Wall St. loves it when IBM fires people. Every time there's an RA, the stock goes up. It's management's duty to do what pleases the stockholders. Until they are convinced that this is not good for their investment, nothing is going to change.

  The Internet is a big place. Somewhere there must be a scientific study that shows that a pattern of mass firings is harmful to a company's long-term health. Somehow, that has to be communicated to the stockholders (or at least the major ones). Suggestion: include the word "chainsaw" in your Google search. - Nick Danger-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I was RA'd 2 weeks ago. Just found out that IBM is going to challenge my claim to Unemployment Insurance. -Damaged in Dubuque-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  This has been happening for five years. The current RA cycle has been running since the beginning of 2009. Stop acting surprised. Start standing up. -Stepping Stone-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Just curious, what actions could The Alliance take to stop the layoffs? I have worked in many unionized organizations and "Management Rights" seemed to offer free will to make management decisions about workforce. -Curious IBMer-

  Alliance reply: In IBM unions in Europe and elsewhere job cuts are negotiated, numbers challenged and alternatives worked on. In those unions job cuts are voluntary first. They have contracts that spell this all out in detail.

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I know of 4 in BTV that were managers RA'd they were set to retire months ago but changed their minds and waited for this to get the package. Guess that beats a slap on the back like a line worker gets when they retire -Still here-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Field Service Representatives (CEs) across the country are bing laid of effective 3/31. At this time unknown numbers, but likely in the hundreds. This does not include the CEs that were moved to Toshiba. -Andy-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Got RAed from IBM Kenexa. Heard that VPs and Managers are also kicked out. Heard few senior management folks were behind some unnecessary job cuts on the direction from CTO/CKO in Wayne, PA location. -anonymous-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Some 2nd-line areas in AIX Austin were lightly touched; others were not touched at all. I only know about a couple of them, however. There may have been some areas hit harder.

  However, a lot of people have left voluntarily since last year (myself included). In some depts, more left voluntarily over the past year than were cut. They were counting on attrition, but it appears they got more than they had wanted. My guess is that they lost so many that they cannot cut in some areas without killing AIX altogether. Maybe that's what they want eventually, but not instantly like another deep cut there might have done. -MovedOn-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  Don't let anyone kid you. 'Technical people' in Poughkeepsie were let go. Got to be at least 40 in STG/ISC z mfg and support. -zGuy-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  @Stepping Stone..This has been happening for five years. The current RA cycle has been running since the beginning of 2009. Stop acting surprised. Start standing up. -Stepping Stone-" Don't know where you have been but I was RA'd in 2007 6 months after getting a promotion and had to train 5 clueless heads in India. That's the problem; you all have had your heads in the sand for years thinking or not knowing this has been going on for a lot longer than you THINK! -Anon-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  For all that are being let go. I have been there, and let me tell you this, there IS LIFE after IBM. Remember it is not you that failed; it is the company that is failing. Cut to the bone and yet they still want more. One thing they seem to not remember, these thousands of people are talented, most will work for IBM customers and most will not look favorable once they understand that IBM is running so lean that it can no longer support its customer base. And when it comes time to recommend a direction, more than one ex-IBMer will not recommend the once great IBM -Been There-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I got RA news today from RSD group. I know that 20 were let go from my div plus at least another 75 from 2 more eastern side RSD divisions. -Craig-

• Comment 02/28/14:

  I was notified of RA on 02/27/14. There are five others also affected under the same 2nd line manager. All of us are over 50 and in NJ. -Distressed-

  Alliance reply: This is why employees need the OWBPA report included in their RA docs'. Lots of age discrimination in job cuts.

• Comment 03/01/14:

  I am a 1 rated band 10 employee of 17 years at IBM and am fed up with the executive leadership at all levels of IBM. What a disaster. I am on the list to Lenovo, which is better than staying at IBM, but it is not my first choice. All those still at IBM or moving to Lenovo I recommend you look around. There are great companies that need great employees badly. IBM vs. Lenovo, I choose neither. -Rated1-

• Comment 03/01/14:

  Submitted to The Watson Mobile Developer Challenge. "A mobile bracketology application utilizing cognitive computing and WATSON to determine odds of the IBM Board of Directors booting Ginni as they did John Akers. Factoring in number of employees terminated, business units sold off, customer law suits in proportional to EPS target." http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/ibmwatson/form_challenge.html -Anon-

• Comment 03/01/14:

  I was part of the July, 2013 'RA' after 17 years of a career with excellent reviews, awards, etc. After IBM took over in 2001 things began their long, slow, unbearable decline. With the exception of a few people left, a place that was once so vibrant with wonderfully talented and dedicated people has become a ghost town.

  People no longer interact or share ideas. Instead they're heads down and driven like slaves. They are treated with disregard by managers who only know how to use scare tactics to manipulate them, e.g., constantly told to 'work smarter' (who was the IBM jackass that started that phrase?) with no help to do that; to take on more responsibility, even though the workload increases exponentially as staff is reduced; to be a leader, even when there's nobody and nothing to lead. Way too may chiefs and hardly any Indians to do the real work. The list of denigrating tactics goes on.

  My message to those that are suffering from the humiliation and self doubt caused by these layoffs is, don't suffer any longer. You haven't done anything wrong and IBM is way too stupid to realize what they're losing. Know that everything has a silver lining. It only took me ~1/2 hour after my notice that I found mine. My life has changed dramatically for the better. Looking back I only laugh with joy that I no longer have to experience that kind of treatment.

  I'm grateful for having had the opportunity to meet so many good people and to work on such a great product. That said, I despise IBM and everything they stand for, not because they chose to remove me, but because of the dirty, despicable and unethical way they run their business and how they blatantly lie to their workforce and their customers. It is shameful and I'm so happy not to be part of it anymore, no matter what my future holds.

  Whatever you choose to do post-IBM, I hope this will help to put some perspective on what has happened and know that you'll be much better off. I wish all a more fulfilling next stint. -ReleasedFromIBMPrisonCamp-

  Alliance reply: Sorry for your job loss in 2013. All the negative aspects of working for IBM, that you have cited have been said before. This company will continue to do to their employees, whatever they feel like, as long as IBM employees allow them to. Alliance@IBM has been actively working to help change that "paradigm". The focus that IBMers should be using is to organize. IBMers just like you, who have dedicated their energies and loyalty to a company that abuses them at every turn.

  The ONLY way to change that, while still working for IBM is to organize. Now that IBM has gone so far as to stop reporting job cuts as before in their RA pkgs; it's just another example of their disrespect for their own workforce. If the workforce unites, organizes and fights for a contract; IBM will immediately see that their employees have finally put "some perspective on what has happened and know that IBM workers will be much better off..."

• Comment 03/01/14:

  IBM corporate management are law breakers, criminals, and crooks when it comes to labor law. We see it. They settle suits and cases left and right when it comes to labor/employment issues. There is list of them going years' back. These corporate felons need to read the BCG as a start and learn to READ the labor law to OBEY IT. -anonymous-