Diary of a Network Geek

The trials and tribulations of a Certified Novell Engineer who's been stranded in Houston, Texas.

8/14/2003

IBM, Offshore and the Changing Tides

Filed under: Criticism, Marginalia, and Notes,Geek Work,News and Current Events — Posted by the Network Geek during the Hour of the Hare which is in the early morning or 7:28 am for you boring, normal people.
The moon is Waning Gibbous

The tides of change are lapping at the “offshore”.

At least, according to this article on YahooNews, IBM is catching a lot of flack from both employees and politicians for their plan to move a significant number of programming jobs “offshore”. They don’t specify where, but they won’t be jobs for Americans. But, I see this as a good sign.
First, politicians are finally starting to take notice of their constituant’s problems and concerns. This has been going on for quite a while now, but not too many folks have been willing to speak out about it, much less do anything about it.
Second, IBM is getting pressure, both political and social, to change their policy. This, in my opinion, is the way to handle these issues. Social pressure, economic pressure and political pressure can all be brought to bear on these decisions. We, the American Workers, can influence this stuff. And we should.
And, third, there’s been talk of an IT union again. Now, I grew up in Chicago, so I know about unions and some of the problems that can go with them, but… But, once upon a time, unions protected the American Worker from business and politics that would have chewed them up and spat them out. So, even though I’m not a big fan of unions, maybe it’s time for one.

In any case, it’s a great article and it does show that we can make a difference!

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