Workers: IBM layoffs hitting RTP, other US locations

IBM, which recently sharply reduced severance pay packages for laid-off employees, is issuing layoff notices today to some workers in Research Triangle Park and at other U.S. locations, workers are telling the “Watching IBM” website. One described the cuts as a “mass firing.”

The job cuts are coming after IBM (NYSE: IBM) recently cut severance pay to one month rather than up to six months pay based on years of service.

Contacted by WRAL TechWire, an IBM spokesperson declined comment on the layoffs.

The job cuts reportedly hit IBM’s “cloud” unit in the Park. A new data center in RTP is part of Big Blue’s transformation under Chair and CEO Ginni Rometty to greater emphasis on Watson supercomputing services and data related services.

“Our small group in RTP GTS got hit today,” one post reads.

“Job cuts in Cloud unit at RTP,” Watch IBM added.

“I am a GTS Strategic Outsourcing casualty of the mass firing today,” said another. GTS is an IBM business unit. “My manager told me it was big and widespread, and I’d be hearing from a lot of people that will also be notified today. My official end date is May 31, 2016.”

“Latest areas getting cut: IBM CMS Cloud Division; AMS Strategic Technical Services; Global Services Parts Operations; GTS Strategic Outsourcing. Workers are also reporting work is being moved offshore to Hungary and Brazil,” Watching IBM noted.

“You are correct,” one female worker wrote in response to a “Watching IBM note that a “resource action” – IBM’s term for job cuts – was underway.

“I get my packet in the morning. The big [deleted] job is that I’m only getting 1 month severance instead of the 25 weeks I am entitled when I was hired. I’m thrilled I will be gone in 90 days and ‘stick them’ for my vacation pay.”

Laid-off workers receive what is called a packet or package that includes terms and conditions for receiving severance, benefits and other information.

There’s no doubting that IBM is turning over workers in one way or another.

Churn in IBM’s work force has at least been acknowledged by IBM. The layoffs come days after IBM told investors that its work force stands at some 378,000 – largely the same as at the end of 2014. Yet, as the IEEE Sepctrum reports, “70,000 employees left the company, to be replaced with new hires and acquisitions.” While IBM has sold off some operations, such as its chip group, it has hired extensively in areas such as analytics and for its Internet of Things efforts.

“Around the country”

In an email, Lee Conrad, who launched the Facebook site in January after Alliance@IBM gave up on efforts to unionize IBM workers, told WTW:

“IBM is having a resource action/job cut today. Reports are coming from around the country.

“Got a few notifications already” from RTP in “GTS and Cloud.”

Conrad said he screens posts before they appear on the Facebook site.

“I am also doing a cut and paste from emails,” he added. “These are people that give me their real names and I also know many from the Alliance days.”

One post noted several layoffs in New York.

There were complaints, too, that IBM is cutting U.S. full-time workers while keeping contractors and workers hired under so-called H-1B visas, which go to foreign workers.

Some examples:

“I am cut while my replacement h1b visa worker stays,” one IBMer complained.
“The 6 hardware planners in Poughkeepsie were all laid off as off as of 5/31 with one month severance,” one worker reported.
“FYI RA for me. EADS 90 days notice 1 month severance,” another wrote. .Identifying as a “remote employee,” the worker said “at least 6 others” were being let go with an IBM account “being offshored.”
“Job cuts in Software Group ICS-Analytics,” a poster noted. “IBMers go but contractors stay.”
“Job cuts in TSS support for US and offshore hardware and software support centers,” added another.

Earlier this week, layoffs were reported coming in the U.K.

An IBM spokesperson told The Register that a “consultation process” with worker reps has begun.

“IBM continually remixes skills – our clients expect no less as they look to IBM to help them take advantage of innovations and new technologies. Globally IBM continues to invest in skills needed for the future,” she told The Register.

IBM still employs several thousand people across North Carolina and its campus in RTP.

For years, IBM has refused to disclose the number of workers it has in the U.S. or at local locations.

Big Blue also will not disclose specific numbers of workers hit in job actions.