Challenger: Job cuts at computer firms on the upswing

[UpInArms]

http://www.computerworld.com/careertopics/careers/labor/story/0,10801,94382,00.html

Planned job cuts announced by computer firms rose a staggering 179% in the second quarter of this year, to 13,465 from 4,828 in the previous quarter, according to Chicago- based outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.

Challenger said today that the rise in layoffs is a reminder that the job environment remains volatile and that significant job losses in technology- related industries may occur even as new positions are being created.

In its quarterly report on technology- sector employment trends, Challenger said job cuts in the computer, electronics, telecommunications and e- commerce industries rose 16% in the second quarter of the year, from 29,513 in the first quarter to 34,213 in the quarter ending June 30.

Challenger pointed to the job cuts announced by computer firms as the sole contributor to the 16% increase. Job cuts announced in the other three industries actually fell during the second quarter.

...more...

[cthrumatrix]

1. but.but....commander bunnypants says we have the best growth ever

[AussieInCA]

2. just a few days after the govt. says this months job leader is tech....

man they really spit out total BS.

[delete_bush]

4. You obviously haven't heard about the new

job classifications, such as "tech in charge of hamburger production" and "freedom fry technician" and "unemployed tech person".

Technically they're right.

[notadmblnd]

3. MCI 7500 positions eliminated in June

EDS 3500 in July. They've been kind enough to keep us on the payroll till the end of the month and only if we sign papers saying we won't sue, will we get our 20 wks severence pay.

Yeah, the e conomy is booming alright.

[yolatengo]

5. maybe the white collar 'libertarians' will wise up

First off, I've been in IT for 15 yrs. I like my job. I'm glad I HAVE a
job.

But, over the years all I've heard from IT/CompSci people is that
they are perpetually employable, high-salaried, stock-optioned,
self-sufficient, etc, etc, etc.

IOW, they all vote Republican because they think so highly of
themselves, their abilities, and their (lucky) lot in life and know
it can NEVER end, so why not get lots of Defense Contract $$$,
lots of BushCo TAX CUTS, and look down their noses at all the
'lazy', 'obsolete', unemployed non-techie factory schlubs.

First the Tech Bubble burst and they lost all their stock options
worth millions. Then they voted for BushCo thinking he was going
to shower them with Defense lucre and that their 6 figure incomes
for 4 yrs experience was going to continue forever. Then BushCo
shipped all their jobs to Bangalore and they became racists. Now,
after 3 1/2 yrs of being slapped in the face by BushCo, maybe
they'll jump on the Clue Train.

Naw, they'll just blame librrruls and 'trial lawyers' and support
every new war because maybe, just maybe, they'll get some gravy
from their no-tax, no-service Masters.

Being a libertarian techie is real SAFE when things are booming,
but being an over-employed, over-paid, 30-something in bad times
when 22 yr old bengalis can do your job for $10k starts making
that Sword of Damocles swing ever so much more precariously...

Someday they may realize that if we are a nation of billionaires, they
and their 6-figures, and 285 million unemployed/underemployed/
less than min wage/hopeless/uneducated (because of education cut
backs)/no safety net whatsoever hoi polloi THERE WILL BE NO ECONOMY
TO SUPPORT THEIR PAMPERED ASSES!

Remember all the "just learn to program and make a mint!" conversations
circa 1995? What will they tell us to do now?

Bigby

[dumpster_baby]

6. great post! -eom

[AndyTiedye]

7. You Must Be Hanging Out with the Wrong Crowd of IT People

> over the years all I've heard from IT/CompSci people is that
> they are perpetually employable, high-salaried, stock-optioned,
> self-sufficient, etc, etc, etc.

You must be confusing us with the marketing department.
Engineers know better than that.

> IOW, they all vote Republican

The Hell we do!!! There isn't a Republican in our group.

> because they think so highly of themselves, their abilities,

Actually, it is usually the Republicans who have self-image problems.

> and their (lucky) lot in life and know it can NEVER end

Puleeze. Our memories were never that short.

> so why not get lots of Defense Contract $$$,

Feh. We'd rather do civilian stuff anyday.

> lots of BushCo TAX CUTS

Screw the tax cuts, bring back the Clinton economy
and the Clinton stock market!

> and look down their noses at all the
> 'lazy', 'obsolete', unemployed non-techie factory schlubs.

What "factory schlubs"? Manufacturing has been gone from around here
for years. Many years.

> First the Tech Bubble burst and they lost all their stock options
> worth millions. Then they voted for BushCo thinking he was going
> to shower them with Defense lucre and that their 6 figure incomes
> for 4 yrs experience was going to continue forever.

Nearly all the techies voted for Gore. California and all the
other high-tech enclaves went very heavily for Gore. The tech
bust came AFTER Election-Theft-2K, and was intended to punish us
for our lack of support for the Regime. Defense contracts were a
small part of the business back then. We were at peace, and the
civilian economy was booming.

> Then BushCo shipped all their jobs to Bangalore and they became racists.

It would be pretty difficult to work in this industry if you were.
We have about the most ethnically-mixed workforce there is.