Newsgroups: comp.org.decus
Subject: Re: Staff layoffs - Huh?
From: kaplan@bpavms.bpa.arizona.edu (Steve... friends don't let friends do DOS.)
Date: 23 Dec 1992 16:30 MST  
Distribution: world,local
Organization: University of Arizona MIS Department
Keywords: DECUS staff cuts
Summary: Argh :(
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

>In article <1992Dec20.231201.4721@spcvxb.spc.edu>, killeen@spcvxb.spc.edu (Jeff Killeen) writes...
>>In article <20DEC199213375260@bpavms.bpa.arizona.edu>, kaplan@bpavms.bpa.arizona.edu (Steve... friends don't let friends do DOS.) writes:
>>> As many of you know, DECUS is going through the same economic trauma that
>>> DEC (and the rest of us? - yes) are.  So, it came of no surprise to me to
>>> hear that 6 of the DECUS staff were to loose their jobs when they returned
>>> to Shrewsbury on the Monday after the recent fall 1992 Las Vegas Symposium.
>>Jeff
>>Would you post up that message I sent you...

Thanks Jeff and Marg.

>Digital is clearly undergoing a restructuring that includes both
>re-engineering and downsizing. As we saw at symposium, some of the engineers
>and industry support people from Digital were putting their home phone numbers
>on their business cards when asked a customer question because they too are
>affected by the layoffs. 

Yep - just like the rest of the world.

>In a general way I suspect we all understand the need for what Digital is
>doing -- after all it is trying to make itself competitive and productive for
>the future. Or as Palmer has been quoted as saying, he is trying to save
>85,000 jobs and that is the focus( versus a focus of downsizing). But on an
>individual plane, be it people or product, it is painful, very very painful to
>watch. And when individuals whom we have worked with or relied upon are
>affected, it is even more painful. 

Not to mention - relied upon.

>A month ago, Ted Grenham (DECUS exec director) let myself and then the Board
>and Management Council know that our staff would be affected in this round.
>All of the staff managers met and after what must have been a wrenching couple
>days, unanimously agreed on the course of re-engineering the staff and which
>positions would have to go to meet the head count. As I am sure most of us are
>aware, no corporation is at liberty to discuss personnel actions about any
>individual -- it is just not legal. So the how and why particular people were
>selected or not selected remains in the personnel department files and are not
>ours to discuss or gossip about. 

Glad you mentioned this.  While I have tried to promote the idea that there
is such a thing as DECUS all of these years, the truth of the matter is
that there is not - DECUS = DEC.  I'd argue that the membership should have
had a say in it - but, as you put it so well - we (mere members and
volunteers) have nothing to say about it.  A price we all pay for not
having the guts to incorporate DECUS as a stand alone entity?  Yes.

>We have been assured by Ted that ALL DECUS businesses will continue to be
>fully supported. Re-engineering and consolidation for more effectiveness is
>what they are doing. 

Sure, now if all of the Symposia commitee does not quit....

>So, I can only repeat that I personally hate to see the personal pain, but
>frankly, I do not know what else Digital can do -- it MUST get competitive,
>fighting trim, and productive as well as learn how to deliver messages to its
>potential customer base (i.e. marketing), all in addition to having product. 
>Marg (Knox)

Certainly, however - to see THE TWO key Symposia people disappear is a clue
that there is much more to it than that, me thinks.

>Jeff Killeen - DECUS U.S. Chapter NLC Chair | Email:killeen@eisner.decus.org
>DECUS is for folks who are responsible for delivering computing technology.
>The NLC is the national council for DECUS's Local User Groups - come join us!

Jeff, DECUS is for those who don't mind being under DEC's skirts. 
Incorporate DECUS as a seperate, independent entity now!

RayK 8)