Laid-off IT workers muzzled as H-1B debate heats up

[burfman]

Source: Computerworld

IT workers are challenging the replacement of U.S. employees with foreign visa holders. Lawsuits are on the rise and workers are contacting lawmakers. Disney workers who lost their jobs on Jan. 30, 2015, are especially aggressive.

There's a reason for this.


The Disney severance package offered to them did not include a non-disparagement clause, making it easier for laid-off workers to speak out. This is in contrast to the severance offered to Northeast Utility workers.

The utility, now known as Eversource Energy and based in Connecticut and Massachusetts, laid off approximately 200 IT employees in 2014 after contracting with two India-based offshore outsourcing firms. The employees contacted local media and lawmakers to pressure the utility to abandon its outsourcing plan.

Some of the utility's IT employees had to train their foreign replacements. Failure to do so meant loss of severance. But an idea emerged to show workers' disdain for what was happening: Small American flags were placed in cubicles and along the hallway in silent protest -- flags that disappeared as the workers were terminated.

Read more: http://www.computerworld.com/article/3027640/it-outsourcing/laid-off-it-workers-muzzled-as-h-1b-debate-heats-up.html

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Not only do you have to train your H1-B replacement, you can't talk about it either.

This is the kind of crap that is eating away at the middle class.

It appears that this week Senator Blumenthal is taking notice even though he still intends to support raising the level of H1B's from 65,000 to 195,000:

http://www.computerworld.com/article/3030270/it-careers/sen-blumenthal-demands-lifting-of-it-gag-order.html

[yourout]

1. Gee what Presidential candidates support more H1-Bs?

[LittleGirl]

2. Spent 20 yrs

in IT and saw the writing on the wall. I'm glad my spouse makes enough that I don't 'have' to work but I would love to get back to work but that's unlikely with my prior salary comparison demands (not like I've had any interviews either). And I was always paid less than my coworkers because I have a...vagina. Sickening. There are lots of experience out there is that not being tapped for their skills not just because of H1Bs but because of the these labor practices that are killing jobs for all Americans. IT workers need a union to survive and I'd like to see somebody represent them.
The H1B system is highly flawed and for them too.

[jeff47]

4. It's going to be very difficult to unionize IT workers

A whole lot of computer geeks are libertarians. That simplified worldview fits nicely in an abstract model, and we spend a lot of our time dealing only in abstract models. Also, vast swaths of us geeks are absolutely sure we can do everything well, including negotiating our own salary.

That's going to be a big barrier to unionization.

[LittleGirl]

5. and republicans too

which is who I worked with over the years. Unions as a whole are being destroyed in the states and that's a true shame. I was an exempt employee too and that sucked as much too. Doing upgrades and updates on weekend nights, holidays and of course, being attached at the hip with a laptop and phone 24/7/365.

[Bubzer]

3. ...

[fbc]

6. This is what happens when they can't send your job overseas

They bring someone from overseas to the US to do it for less.