IBM and the State of New York Monday cut a deal that would spare 3,100 workers in the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas through the end of 2016, even as the company takes a $1 billion restructuring charge in the first quarter. But employees, posting comments to the IBM union site Alliance@IBM, wonder what will happen with the remaining workforce in the area, which numbers approximately 7,000. Big Blue's workers have been buffeted by a number of layoffs throughout the past year, since IBM announced it planned yet another $1 billion restructuring charge. Nonetheless, New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo hyped the deal, saying, "This agreement will keep thousands of high-tech jobs in New York and maintains IBM’s strong commitment to stay and grow in our state."

Nano and Semiconductor Jobs Are Keepers

Under its agreement with the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany, IBM will retain 2,350 jobs. Big Blue also plans to keep 750 positions at its semiconductor plants and related fields in Dutchess County, Albany and Yorktown Heights. “IBM’s presence is an important part of our ongoing advancement in nanotechnology and I applaud their decision preserve thousands of Hudson Valley jobs and expand the company’s high-tech footprint here in New York," Cuomo said. The agreement between Big Blue and the College is part of a joint investment between the company and the state of New York. This joint-investment is designed to spur nanotechnology in the state and calls for IBM to create 500 new jobs in Buffalo, where it will be the anchor tenant in a $55 million Buffalo IT Innovation and Commercialization Hub, slated to open in early 2015, says The Buffalo News.