By Doug Cunningham

A health study by the Boston University School of Public Health’s Dr. Richard Clapp confirms that overall cancer rates are considerably higher among IMB production workers than among the general population. The study is published in the Environmental Health Journal. It includes data from IBM’s own “Corporate Mortality File”. Alliance at IBM, a Communications Workers of America labor organizing group active at IBM, says this study confirms that IBM manufacturing processes are creating serious health issues for workers. The Alliance@IBM wants local, state and federal government officials to do a health surveillance of IBM workers and to require that worker exposure to toxic substances be substantially reduced. The alliance also wants a fund created to help defray medical costs for affected IBM workers and their families.

By Doug Cunningham

IBM is moving its large procurement division to China. It’s now headquartered in a suburb of New York City. IBM says its relocating its global procurement headquarters to China to take advantage of “emerging market opportunities”. This marks the first time IBM has moved one of its largest divisions to China.

By Doug Cunningham

Older workers at IBM trying to defend their full earned pensions have been dealt a blow by an Illinois federal district court. The court has sided with IBM, finding that the company did not break age discrimination laws when it changed its pensions to cash balance plans in the ‘90’s, slashing benefits for older workers. Linda Guyer, president of the CWA affiliated Alliance At IBM says this case demonstrates why workers need pension benefits spelled out in union contracts. Kathi Cooper, the 55 year old IBM worker who started the class-action lawsuit says she’s already being encouraged by IBM workers to keep fighting all the way to the Supreme Court.

By Doug Cunningham

San Francisco attorney Steve Zieff says the class action lawsuit against IBM alleging unpaid overtime for tens of thousands of workers will be a big case with IBM liable for millions of dollars.

[Steve Zieff] : "We think what they've done is illegal. The motivation I think is pretty simple. By not paying overtime - statutorily required - they're saving themselves a whole lot of money at the workers' expense."

By Doug Cunningham

IBM is the latest big corporation abolishing pensions. Despite a profit in 2004 of $9 billion and a pension fund that holds $48 billion, IBM recently announced its pensions will be frozen in 2008. After that IBM will offer only 401 (k) plans, meaning workers will get less money for their retirement while the corporation takes the money instead.
Lee Conrad is national coordinator for the Alliance@IBM, a Communications Workers of America union organizing effort at the company.

[Lee Conrad 1] : "This latest attack on the pension is mainly affecting long time IBM employees - probably about 20,000 of them. But even IBM executives are saying these people will be impacted negatively on this and will be losing money."

By Doug Cunningham

IBM has reportedly pledged not to use high-tech genetic screening on its workers and job applicants. IBM CEO Sam Palmisano, in a memo to employees, said the computer giant is revising its policies to bar the use of genetic information for personnel decisions. IBM's Chief Privacy Officer, Harriet Pearson says genetic information comes pretty close to the essence of who you are and you can't change it. But it has nothing to do with your employment so protecting worker privacy when it comes to genetic screening for personnel decisions is the right thing to do.

By Doug Cunningham

The Alliance@IBM is a unique organizing effort that doesn't go the

usual NLRB stacked against the worker route to organize workers.

Ralph Montefusco is the national organizer for Alliance@IBM. He says

the model this CWA affiliated local is using is minority union

representation - just signing up members without an NLRB election.

[Ralph Montefusco] : "Being a non-majority organization we're kind

of a strange being. because while we are trying to build membership all

the time we're not necessarily immediately pushing for a vote and

pushing to have cards signed. And we're doing a lot of advocacy on