Axe Falls At IBM - Employees Confirm Lay Offs

[Henry]

According to news media and leaks from the plant, it is thought that around 200 supplemental employees are being layed off here in Essex Junction - Other rumors indicate that there may be a change in the shift premium, so it will be a flat rate rather than a percentage of an employee's salary - Nothing official so far as I suspect they want all employees to get the story first before they speak with the media.  Click on the following Channel 3 News article for updates:

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=8543428

[Henry]

The axe has fallen at the IBM plant in Essex Junction. IBM has confirmed that nearly 200 employees were laid off this morning.

Company spokesperson, Jeff Couture, told Channel 3's Darren Perron that 180 employees were let go. 110 of the positions eliminated were regular employees. 70 long-term supplemental workers were also laid off.

Couture says IBM is "responding to current business needs and this is a way to reduce costs and improve efficiency." He says it is premature to conclude that this action means that the long term business at IBM will not be strong or viable.

There is a bit of good news. Originally pay cuts were on the table for people getting shift premiums for working the odd shifts. Couture has now confirmed that will not happen.

For more details on The Burlington Free Press Web Site, click on the following link:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080624/NEWS01/80624003