UPS laying off Technical hourly employees

We got official word today that UPS will be laying off their technical work force. These are the hourly folks unprotected by the union.

[wily_old_vet]

I'm sorry to hear this. What exactly is the function of this group of workers? How many workers ar we talking about? Are the jobs being outsourced to foreign countries? Can you give us some more info please?

[olebrownie]

These are the folks that work on the computers and software for the company and customers. Not sure of a total number but the main effect is consolidation of help desks.

I'm not in the technical department but have several friends in it. Last I heard the number was around 300+ across the US by Feb'28th, they will not be offered other positions in the company even though there are other non-union positions open. They will be forced to take the compensation package of 2 weeks pay plus a week of pay for each year of service. We all know the entire company runs on technology, which in 6 months will be hell in a handbasket, as they've angered the entire technology workforce, plus the reduction in support. Soon you'll probably start seeing your building going on paper due to no DIAD's, no PAS system for 2-3 hours, timecards not being sent up on time, etc. They are running with a skeleton crew already trying to keep all the technology going, now techs will be 2-3 hours away to fix problems that need to fixed in less than an hour, be prepared for lots of problems as the technology is neglected.

300+ disgruntled employees with admin rights to the companies entire technical assets. Not a good thing to do.

[quebec_driver]

Company will probably out source to an outside company like the geek squad save on cash

Originally Posted by quebec_driver

Company will probably out source to an outside company like the geek squad save on cash

Three problems....

I couldn't see the little guy in his bug driving up to fix my DPS computer when the database crashes. "Sequence number what?"

The geek squad won't work for $16-$18 an hour like our technical force does.

UPS has tried to outsource our technical support before and it failed.

All eight of our help desks are being outsourced to a company in Las Vegas. When you call you will get someone that probably won't speak English and will not know that much about a UPS Center. Heck, they probably will have never set foot in a UPS Building. Good move Mike Eskew. You talk about how technology is the key to the company's success, but you will send technicians with 10+ years of UPS experience packing. Good luck. FedEX stock is about $30 higher than UPS now and I can see that gap getting larger.

[0671tsg]

Hi,

Has anyone heard anything on the TSG and TSC helpdesk layoffs.

[spidey]

I haven't had a chance to check it out, but I heard there is information on it on UPSers.com.

[moreluck]

0671tsg......someone already started a thread on this subject. Did you read under "current events" the thread titled "UPS laying off technical hourly workers"? Check it out.

[cheryl]

Originally Posted by moreluck

0671tsg......someone already started a thread on this subject. Did you read under "current events" the thread titled "UPS laying off technical hourly workers"? Check it out.

Note: These threads have now been combined. Thank you for pointing out the original thread.

Has anyone complained about this to the concern desk?

Originally Posted by Anonymous Coward

Has anyone complained about this to the concern desk?

All desks are being closed country wide, so this is coming from Atlanta. I don't think they would care if we complained.

[anothertsg]

I'm also a technician with TSG. I've been told they are laying off 130 TSG (on-site) technicians, and 180 TSC (helpdesk) technicians. We're the two groups who keep the computers, DIAD's, networks, scanners, printers, and customer pc's running and maintenanced.
The memo read to us began something like this.. 'Despite the fact that our company is doing well....' then went on to say our competitors aren't paying for this level of support, so why should UPS? Are we trying to be FedEx? Are they doing so much better that we should now emmulate them? Our technology makes us better!
We're not being allowed to transfer to different departments. In my district there are hundreds of vacancies, but we will not be allowed into them. We must leave - period. We cannot reapply for any position anywhere in the company for a minimum of 12 months. We cannot even quit and reapply without waiting a year. Many of us in TSG believe this is only the first round of layoffs for us. After all, the Center of the Future does away with Tech Support, On Road Sups, etc....
This company no longer cares one whit for it's people. It doesn't even care about money (which is has PLENTY of) - it will spend $100 to save a nickel. It only cares about subjective numbers and hollow actions it can proudly bestow to its newest shareholders. The centers are falling apart. I've seen drivers literally CRYING, more and more are selling off their stock because the company is being driven into the dirt. Well over 50 managers in my district alone have WALKED OUT in the last year. A year ago, 1 Concern in a day was an issue - now I see 80 - 100, NO JOKE, in one day, and no one is batting a eye. I've been with the company 5 years, but it is a totally different company than when I started.

I agree with Anonymous Coward - pissing off your entire tech staff who have full control access to the entire nationwide network, is completely stupid. It would only take one really good tech with a dark side to make it come crashing down. And unlike the last big virus, when all of TSG mobilized in a 48 hour period, over the weekend, to stop a virus in it's tracks, I doubt we'll come running to the rescue this time around. I'm sitting back with a bowl of popcorn, waiting to see this unfold.

[trickpony1]

AnotherTSG,
I'll be getting my popcorn ready also.
On the "menu of life", revenge is best served cold.
Go for it and know my thoughts are with you!
While management is fumbling around wondering why the computers are down and pulling their hair out trying to correct the situation I will be grinning knowing the little guy didn't go down without taking someone with him/her.
Godspeed........and, yes, God will understand.

I'm anxious to see a management poster sugar-coat your post and make it all better.

Any of you overpaid houly driver care to share your bucks with the tsg folks???

[OMS_03]

Technically speaking I'm management
But um... no sugar-coating here...Stupid decision that will come back to bite us in the

[tieguy]

Originally Posted by trickpony1

AnotherTSG,
I'll be getting my popcorn ready also.
On the "menu of life", revenge is best served cold.
Go for it and know my thoughts are with you!
While management is fumbling around wondering why the computers are down and pulling their hair out trying to correct the situation I will be grinning knowing the little guy didn't go down without taking someone with him/her.
Godspeed........and, yes, God will understand.

I'm anxious to see a management poster sugar-coat your post and make it all better.

I wonder if suggesting and encouraging commercial sabotage is a crime.

[UPSBOI]

I guess becoming a driver was a God send for me because I initially waqs trying to get into TSG. Nuke Em! Guys

[tieguy]

As far as the suger coating goes I'm not seeing any lay offs here. Every TSG person so far has been moved into jobs in other functions. Your anonymous poster is correct in that 400 tsg positions are being eliminated but so far the effort appears to be to get everyone resituated into other jobs. Now I realize this vision of how I am seeing this event unfurled may not fit the hate trip you are trying to enjoy onetrickpony but it is truthfully what I am seeing. Perhaps I am not sugercoating at all perhaps you are ****coating everything my friend.

[speeddemon]

Its funny how when the drivers say the company doesnt give a rats ass about us, no on will listen. But when they start laying off TSG employees and such, its all true? Your preaching to the choir. Welcome to our world.

[tieguy]

Anyone working anywhere hopefully has enough sense to realize that companies add and eliminate jobs as they see fit.UPS has done quite a bit less eliminating then many other comparable companies. At this point though it appears that UPS is making a sincere effort to move TSG people in my district into other jobs. Why would they try to move people into other jobs if they do not at least care some about our people?

Now one trickpony this is probably what you would call a suger coated post. To rebut it though I think you should :

a) tell me why we should keep 400 jobs if we don't believe we need them.

b) rebut the effort the company is making to move affected tsg employees into other jobs.

c) tell me why you think UPS is as bad as the gm , fords , Ibm's who often have job purges of 10, 20 30,0000 or more in one swoop.

Once you make this rebuttal then this message board is no longer a lollipop board. It then becomes a board where you actually have to stand on your two feet and make convincing arguments for or against your opinion about this company.

[tieguy]

Originally Posted by speeddemon

Its funny how when the drivers say the company doesnt give a rats ass about us, no on will listen. But when they start laying off TSG employees and such, its all true? Your preaching to the choir. Welcome to our world.

I'm a little confused Speed demon? How many drivers at UPS have you seen get laid off permanently?

Originally Posted by 1-888-ups-tech

All eight of our help desks are being outsourced to a company in Las Vegas. When you call you will get someone that probably won't speak English and will not know that much about a UPS Center. Heck, they probably will have never set foot in a UPS Building. Good move Mike Eskew. You talk about how technology is the key to the company's success, but you will send technicians with 10+ years of UPS experience packing. Good luck. FedEX stock is about $30 higher than UPS now and I can see that gap getting larger.

The Las vegas center is actually a UPS facility with UPSers doing the job.

[trickpony1]

Tie,
I knew I could count on you.

A) these 400 jobs that you speak of......I guess the wind changed directions one morning and the Gods decided that the TSG people would be the next sacrifical lamb. Who will perform this work when the TSG are gone?......oops, I forgot....there are plenty of reliable people in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and India who are more than qualified. Think of the money the company will save. So much for loyalty.

B) If the company is making an effort to move TSG into other jobs then it is a token effort designed to appease the public and the unemployment commission because the previous TSG apparently affected by this said the company is not moving any TSG anywhere. I based my opinion upon their statement, just like you base your opinion upon info you receive.

C) the ibm's, ford's and gm's that you speak of all produce a product subject to the public whims. The majority of the aforementioned have all farmed out their production jobs to the fine people overseas as well as foreign manufacturers (automakers) undercutting their American rivals. Our company provides a service. The TSG was/is indirectly a part of that service......they just don't wear a brown uniform, drive a shiny brown vehicle and smile alot.

At what point will the Gods decide that the company has too many managerial people? Think of the money the company could save by getting rid of some of the worthless managers that are nothing more than figureheads or tokens for the Gods to sacrifice when something really big goes wrong.

Before you critique my feeder driving skill, loyalty, production etc. please be aware that I am a darned good feeder driver and have never been talked to about my production. The company wishes they had 80 more just like me.

Your turn.......