"We know who got us in this mess..."

LRH, you are a straight thinking smart guy. See the above quote that was made by the simpliton cool aid drinker? These guy's really think that things are as simple as that, whomever was in office the day it all came down is to blame. Never mind the mortgage mess took decades to bubble. Actually it is amazing logic to say that something as complicated as the housing market could be completely dismantled by one president in less than 8 years. What school did these guy's go to? So it was also Cinton's fault the tech bubble burst and millions of people lost life savings while the economy fell into a funk for the following recession? Somehow I don't think this guy follows the same reasoning with that mess, because Clinton was no longer in office when all the jobs were starting to go a few months later after he left, even though the tech bubble burst while he was in office. Forcing banks to make sub-prime loans was the basic reason that the housing bubble peaked then collapsed, and government subsidizing for Fannie and Freddie did the rest. These programs started back in the 1980's and took decades to get enough ballast to finally sink the ship. To the simpliton dude, can you even grasp all of this or do you really think all of this was initiated and ended in less than 8 years? Hell, it can take months to qualify for one mortgage and close the sale on a single house! And who do you think was primarily behind all of those policies forcing sub-primes onto banks for decades?......I'll give your little pea brain a hint......it was not the Republicans.......still can't figure it out? Well I'll just spit it out; LRH was correct Dodd, Frank, Carter, Clinton and yes a few dumb Republicans but the policies were germinated and fertilized for decades by DEMOCRATS. Got that son? These guys were the root cause for the mortgage fiasco. I'd read a little and think a little before going off the next time son, because you really have no clue.

EPA/DEP; basically the same thing. Bailout of the auto industry a success. Not really. The plan was for the GM stocks to appreciate and then sell. Pay back us taxpayers who provided the $$$$$$$ for the package. Only problem is that GM went from around $30/share to $20/share. Has to get to $50/share. Fat chance. GM could have gone bankrupt, and reorganized at no cost to the taxpayer. How many bondholders got screwed? Bondholders lent money to GM and are supposed to be on top of the list for payment when a company goes under.

As far as the housing problem. Try Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and Andrew Cuomo for that. Forcing banks to make loans to unqualified people. And then New Yorkers are stupid enough to elect Andrew Cuomo as their governor. Yes, I live in NY, but did not vote for him. He is caving into the unions in NY.

The problem with socialism is that sooner or later your run out of other peoples money.

LHR

9/7/2012 @ 9:07 AM NY time.

He still believes in trickle down economics.
We know who got us in this mess, he didn't address that.
Not only who got us in, but how very deep they got us in.

lIBERALS, LIBERALS,......

Why do you guy's always sound so good and appear to be intelligent people on the surface, but we look again closer and the blame game always goes in one direction......to the right. How about LBJ turning over SS funds to the general fund to be raided for social programs? That's right, billions of dollars literally stolen from the American taxpayer's and you guy's ignor it. Obama care? please don't get started....include millions more in the coverage and fine those who do not pay up......are you kidding me? why do you think people will not pay? Because they are broke! Go ahead fine them and see what you collect. So millions more covered w/ no real new revenue stream of significance; just who do you guys think will suffer?.....it will be you, you dumb nuts.....you who pay or get it from your employer.....your new liver will be diced up 5 ways to spread the "goodness". Saving GM? nooooo, the common stock holder got stiffed while the UAW kept virtually evey benefit AND a huge chunk of the stock monies divided up......sounds like stealing to me....deciding who gets what share....why not equally shared benefits for all stock holders?.......oh yes, that wouldn't be good enough for the unions, that just happen to vote Democratic overwhelmingly. Things right after the recession looking good until the Republicans took the House control and screwed up everything?.....give me a break, it was the stimulus running out that stalled the "recovery". Funny how, when borrowed money runs out, things get tough again eh? Its like being broke and you steal money from the bank and all of a sudden things are good again......until the money runs out......but at least in this case the bank robbers don't have to pay back the money they stole. Think we however, might need to pay back the money/ interest we blew during the recession's "recovery period"? Grow up boy's, liberal policies have always cost the bottom line more than conservative ones in the long run, by definition. It hurts more to be conservative at times, but the austerity leads to fiscal solvency. Any little boy can figure this one out.....that's why they learn to pinch pennies.

Right now, three reasons.

They have alot of money to spread their lie under the old Stalin theory that a lie told often enough becomes the truth.

They are better at marketing themselves.

They are the party of fear and people are scared now.

Why do people continue to look seriously at the republicans. Ryan is a proven liar, and romney doesn't know his butt from his elbow, which is good as he will switch them around eventually.
We are in a record deficit because of their programs and an unfunded war.
Their economic policies have been proven over and over not to work.
I want to start a business so I'll ask my parents for money like mitt.
I, too, can run a 3 hr marathon.
I, too, forgot the auto plant in my state was closed during bush, not obama.
However those two lies were a better story.
Who cares about the truth.

Not entirely accurate. We were making slow progress out of the Great Depression until 1937 when the Republicans made big enough gains in Congress to convince FDR to lighten up on the government programs. What happened then? The economy started to go backwards again. If you look at the recent charts, you will see that things were getting alot better for the first two years of the current administration, during the timeframe in which the stimulus came into effect. Then came 2010 and the Republicans shut off the pump and almost immediately, things started to slow down again. Now they want to take complete control of the government so they can go for a third strike (1929 and 2008 were the first two). Try taking a look at a chart of the national debt over the past 12 years that is divided up among the stimulus, 'general debt', the Bush tax cuts, and two unpaid for wars. You will be very surprised by what you find there.

btw: Nixon created the EPA, not the DEP. Nixon, the consumate politician created it and wound up very upset when the first Agency head actually started to do things about the environment. It was intended as windowdressing and a pacifier to the growing environmental movement of the early 1970s. And ever since its creation Republicans have tried to block or reverse almost everything they have done to improve and maintain our environment.

You are going to state the Democrats got us out of the Great Depression. Try again. It was the nut cases in Germany & Japan which ended the Great Depression depression. Let me also remind you that FDR imprisoned Japanese citizens just because they were; Japanese. LBJ raided the social Security "lock box". And these Republicans who are against clean air and water... The DEP was formed under Nixon.

LHR

Politics, politics......

I don't want to argue policies here because there just isn't enough space to do so. But I'll tell you why I will vote for Romney after voting for Obama last time around. I really beliieved his fresh take on the economy would be better, but one thing stands out that lets me know the guy truly is clueless. In an interview (w/ K. Curic I think)right after he got his $800 billion stimulus package through congress, he stated that "Yes, the stimulus package and my policies will work and if in 3 years the unemployment rate is not below 7%, and the economy is not growing sufficiently enough to create the jobs we need, then yes, I deserve to be a one term president"

Well, it turns out that it didn't work, and worse, when I thought about it, he was clueless enough to make that satement because he had no idea how complex the US and World economies are. The only way he makes that statement is if he truly believed it and to truly believe it he had to be totally ignorant about how complex things really are.

Well, you said it Obama, you deserve to be a one term president and I'll vote accordingly, even as I cringe voting for a Republican.

In December 2012, A group of Siemens DX TTN employees who will be laid off before the New Year ask president-elect Romney:

How can they kick us out? Can you help us?

Romney replied: because you're not the 1%, and no.

Meanwhile on parallel earth...

The same employees ask the same question to president-re elect Obama:

How can they kick us out? Can you help us?

Obama replied: yes, they can, and no.

"Let's not bring politics into this DX mess. I don't think Siemens will look at any color (Black/White or Blue/Red before lay you off. Since we're on this subject, personally I believe more people would suffer economically if the owner/investor of DX is Romney."

I read the first and last sentence and wonder if you really enjoy arguing with yourself. I happen to agree with your last statement given the Dade experience with Bain, but your last sentence is in complete opposition to your first sentence.

As for the previous poster, rather than making outlandishly false statements about Obama and unions, why not present at least one FACT that supports your unscientific claims. Maybe you could start by giving some details as to what you think Republicans could do better since they gave no details of what they plan to do at their convention. It's all been 'not this' and 'not that' and 'not anything, no matter how good, that Obama suggests' and not a single concrete proposal other than the reactionary phrase of wanting to go backwards. I might even consider voting for a Republican if they would just have the guts to give us some details other than lowering taxes on people who can afford them the most and getting rid of some unspecified tax preferences. You may not agree with Democrats but at least they spell out details. The Republicans who gave us the great depression and the recent great recession just say 'trust us ... we have been successful as evidenced by our own personal wealth and our plan will give you a slice of bread from our fancy banquet.'

Let's not bring politics into this DX mess. I don't think Siemens will look at any color (Black/White or Blue/Red before lay you off. Since we're on this subject, personally I believe more people would suffer economically if the owner/investor of DX is Romney.

Beckman-Dickerson NJ had some layoff a few months ago. ( An X-Technicon friend went there after Technicon got the axe) Looks like the benefits of the Obama plan was only for the union heavy industries.

Obama --^%&*^*&%

Isn't it strange how FOX NEWS has already been leaked the story with regards to Healthcares 1400 pending layoffs BUT the employee's have been told nothing yet officially!
Tarrytown is flooding in a sea of rumors about staff reductions yet Management doesn't step up to the plate and either deny nor confirm anything.
Any news at other sites out there?
Isn't Glasgow closing some buildings or switching them over to something else?
I hope we know the story by end of September!

I thought the jantorial staff was already outsourced.

RUMOR HAS IT!

I think the 1400 includes anyone they can remove from the payroll by any means. I would even assume that resignations that don't get replaced would count as well. It's just numbers to the bean counters and that's who came up with the 1400 people they needed to eliminate in order to meet financial goals. Simple cold hard math when you know the proper equations. The impact on peoples' lives is not a factor, although management will tell you that this had to be done in order to save the jobs of those who survive.

Does 1400 also include sales guys from CX? Some were just let go last month.

Thank you. That confirms my last post ... unfortunately for those who don't work in LA and for some reason, felt safe.

LA = less than 200 (and a handful of temps).
If US gets hit with majority of 1400 you can expect east coast to shoulder majority of burden.

"The next round of layoffs will be to close LA. So nothing will happen to the other sites."

Nice try. LA should be closed. There seems to be little debate about that other than the few recalcitrants clinging to hope and the belief they will be eternally essential to Siemens. However, based on information that has been posted here, there is not sufficient residual headcount in LA to meet the target of 1200-1400 for the year meaning that people from other sites will have the burden of working for Siemens lifted from their shoulders as well. Siemens has already shown that it either has no idea of who the truly essential people are in its organization or that they simply don't care or believe that any one person is essential. So I would suggest that everyone be prepared, with the possible exception of people in the mail room or the janitorial staff (after all, cleaning the bathrooms really is essential).

The next round of layoffs will be to close LA. So nothing will happen to the other sites.

Lots of rumors flying around Tarrytown and Glasgow regarding the next round of layoffs.
Can anyone be more specific? It's so close to the end of the year so with respect to the 1400 pending layoffs does anyone have some information already.
.

Lots of rumors flying around Tarrytown and Glasgow regarding the next round of layoffs.
Can anyone be more specific? It's so close to the end of the year so with respect to the 1400 pending layoffs does anyone have some information already.

9/4/2012 What is happening @ Tarrytown Siemens ?

I got downsized in 1992 , self employed since 1994. Haven't made much money but it has been a lot more fun and do not have to put up work place politics. Which I never was any good at.

LHR

Then this is another reason Siemens should take the 26week cap off the package.

What's going on at Glasgow?

"I think it's fair to say neither candidate will cut extended unemployment benefits for the present time......"

If you are saying that they will not cut extended unemployment benefits past the 26 weeks, I think you are misleading people. Those still collecting past 26 weeks were laid off when Federal extensions still applied; they no longer do. If you are laid off anytime from tomorrow, and on any date after tomorrow, you qualify for only the standard 26 weeks of unemployment (or less). The extensions only apply to those already collecting and who qualfied months ago for the extensions. Repeat, anyone getting laid off from today's date and later on will only get a max. of 26 weeks of unemployment, and there are no further extensions for you to qualify for; they are long gone. So are extended Cobra coverages, you will only get what historically has been the norm. Be careful out there, because what you are hearing about extended benefits are no longer even availble for you to qualify for. I just hope this helps those who may get laid off soon, so they can brace for what they are going to get as benefits. Please be careful of what others say you can get, as they may not be up to the current situation w/ benefits.

So you are saying that Siemens is not keeping up with competition
END QUOTE

Chiming in.
They aren't even coming close. Each quarter more customers leave for other companies.
Agenda 2013 is simply a Siemens "lower cost" strategy play to attempt a sway back. Well, customers aren't stupid and once you lose them they "rarely" if ever come back.
True, each quarter will have its fiancial ups and down but you need to look at the whole picture. If you take into account what Siemens six years ago expected to be making now then the small gains made last quarter were actually pennies on the expected dollar.
Agenda 2013 is simply a damage mode strategy in an attempt to push old instruments and technology out the door.
At best this is simply a short term fix.

DX as a business keeps growing yearly.
Yet siemens business, marketshare,dollars and employees, is what is shrinking.
-----
So you are saying that Siemens is not keeping up with competition. Then yes you are right "play book" guy-Siemens will do standard plays to keep pace. Standard plays won't get them ahead. Probably need to follow Bain play book at some point. Good luck all!

You're wrong. The state of GA does not give full unemployment benefits anymore because of a former employee of this company's awful family.

They asked for this to happen in the 70's knowing they would never live there but, this company refuses to believe one of their employees was this well connected starting as an infant.

And remember Ted Turner's d'day video? It's of that brunette watching cartoon's with no tv on videotaped for the federal government and all of Hollywood. And that's not all she can do.

Well, considering the state of the economy, increasing unemployment, still too few jobs and an upcoming election I think it's fair to say neither candidate will cut extended unemployment benefits for the present time.
Still 26weeks isn't bad.
If Siemens was serious (tongue in cheek) about having employees consider early retirement they need to do only one thing.
Remove the "cap" on years of service payout. It would make unemployment a moot point. I have several long term employee friends here at Tarrytown who would definitely consider the option if it ever was offered again. I say "again" since the first layoff group a few years ago had a "capless" package which now no longer exist.
To be honest, I don't think Siemens cares about these employee's and they just seem to be going through the motions and ready, once again, to clean house.

Correct Unemplyment is only 26 weeks unless you live in Georgia who lowered it this year to 20 weeks so they can pay back the Ferderal Gov. the money they got for extended benefits.

Do not assume that if you are laid off that you can collect up to 99 weeks of unemployment. You are entitled to 26 weeks of unemplyment if you are laid off, as that is the standard benefit from unemployment insurance that everyone pays. But that is a benefit that was extended (beyound 26 weeks) only because of the recession and Obama's stimulus money. That was a Federally funded extension that was not paid for by insurance, and I believe the cutoff point has already passed, meaning anyone laid off from this date forward does NOT qualify, so since there is no Federal money for extended benefits from this point on you will only get 26 weeks, and only if you get laid off not if you voluntarily leave.
I am 99.9% sure that I am correct but of course further extensions could be granted. However with the deficit the way it is and more stimulus money spending being a political liability, due not expect any more unemployment benefits. Assume you will get 26 weeks max. Further, those laid off during the recession got extended Cobra heath insurance coverage for many months after the normal (6 months, I believe)extension of coverage. This extended Cobra coverage is also not availble for those being laid off from this point on, so be very careful and find out exactly how much coverage you will get. What you heard others getting previously is NOT what you will be getting from now on; the Federal stimulus money is long gone.

Nonsense! How'd you think LA people expect to be laid off? And how'd you think you have enough time to find another job?

Why everyone's so panic? I think all of us can sleep tight except folks in LA (of course, they're expecting this). Siemens managers are mentally and technically not able to close anything in a year, which give us enough time to find another job. Enjoy your holidays.

That's just crazy then. I can't think of any reason that anyone would retire/resign voluntarily with no benefits at all. The only exception might be someone who plans to retire at the end of the year and agrees to retire at the end of October for the noble purpose of saving one of his fellow workers' job. It wouldn't be the first crazy thing that Siemens has done since acquiring DX. What a sad excuse for a management team.

As with the last layoff schedule, no additional benefits were added to those for voluntary early retirement.
I wouldn't count on unemployment benefits either if you voluntarily leave. You would lose two years of benenfits. As far as extending the package of 2weeks pay/year of service with 26week cap...not going to happen. Currently the 26week payout is in place as it was for the last two layoff schedules.
Unless you have another job in place it would be best to stick around awhile longer and get the full package (as bad as it is).

Before you reject the idea of volunteering to be laid off (assuming this option is even offered), find out if there is any bonus for volunteering. It is not unheard of for a company to extend ones severance pay which may add up to more than you would get from unemployment. Also, find out if you are covered for medical and other insurance during the severance period, and add that into any extension you might be offered. And depending on the State that you're in, you may be able to get unemployment insurance, perhaps after the end of the severance period. It would be up to Siemens to oppose it and I doubt that they would.

Whatever the case, the point here is to get all of the facts first before you make a decision. If they just want you to volunteer to retire (no severance or extended benefits), then you're right. That's completely crazy. No one in their right mind would do that. Make them do the work and pay some severance. And if it makes it easier for them to meet their layoff headcount to have people volunteer, they should pay a bit more for that ease.

_________________

Whatever number they were talking about laying off, my guess is that they intend to complete the tast by the end of their fiscal year which I think is earlier than December 31.

Does anyone know if the 1400 Healthcare layoffs in the FOX article included the 1200 listed last year or is this an additional 1400 scheduled before years end?
We still haven't heard anything at Flanders regarding a layoff schedule or optional early retirement packages.
Early retirment packages do not include Unemployment benefits so who in their right mind would take it anyway.
Right now I'm assuming they want to clean house before end of December.

DX as a business keeps growing yearly.
Yet siemens business, marketshare,dollars and employees, is what is shrinking.
'Follow the playbook'.
That will take care of everything.

DX should not be shrinking, especially in developed countries. As the population of these countries ages, testing volume increases. With more people being covered by medical insurance, testing volume will increase. As economic conditions in developing countries improves, testing volume should increase as well. If Siemens is losing sales, then they are losing market share.

No fun to work in a shrinking business. Is entire market shrinking or is Siemens losing marketshare?

40 people will be let go in Marburg, purportedly being offered early retirement

Not quite as simple as that. Bain probably added real value to many companies, but at a price. They probably did alot of their 'business' through tax laws and taking advantage of loopholes, preferences, knowing into exactly what category every expense should be put. Make no mistake about it. Bain was highly professional and did nothing illegal. The big issue with Bain is whether the things they did to make massive profits and, in some cases, turn companies around so they could be sold off (or taken public), including the cost in jobs, pay, and benefits were ethical. That's an individual judgment and in this case there is no right and wrong opinion. But without all of the facts about Bain, it's really hard to make a good judgment.

So basically Bain Capital put lipstick on a pig and sold it to rubes?

Promotional video to be available 2017 ... complete with a background of calypso music ..... pina coladas are extra.

Trinidad, 2018

There are minor updates to systems which don't require much effort other than demonstration of substantial equivalence. There are major updates which require most major disciplines within R&D. If the new system is a minor update, then I would have thought it would have been shown in some form at AACC this year. Since it was not, I can only assume there are major changes which will require a multi-disciplinary team. As for the idea of contracting alot of the work out, there is still a need for technical coordination and, working with multiple contractors is often more difficult than doing it in-house if for no other reasons than the various contractors have their own agenda, when problems arise the finger pointing is worse, and good communication become much more critical and difficult.

Without being on the inside, it's hard to know what Siemens is up to now, but the fact that there is very little word out among customers suggests that there new system will not be available for several years.

So by your logic and supposed facts - R&D can be almost completely axed and the work conracted out (assuming it's been documented)?

You are assuming they intend to develop a new system good sir :-)

Most of the teams I know are simply expanding on legacy systems, even if they look new, they're just ported software - non obsolete circuits - and fancy new plastic mouldings.