In Reply to: Re: Speculation re. compulsory transfer by IBM US of employees to cash balance plan posted by Another View on 06 March 2003 at 21:36:59:
There is a deal of "speculation" coming from the US right now, and not just this single rumour. Given the weight of it I doubt that it is reckless speculation. Then it concerns a company with quite a reputation now for broken promises and less than up front, if not plain devious conduct in the recent past.
We will see who is correct, but a company which acts as this one has in the past can hardly complain if its intentions aren't queried and its word not taken for granted as it was in the past. Once burned forever cautious.
Of course there are those who would prefer to sail blissfully on and only hear the bad news when it hits them. How can one criticise them? It is a matter of personality and pure personal choice. The wise however think and act for themselves and in this case have had the decency to forewarn others. Such a move as predicted will impact the plans of a large number of people. Don't they deserve to have every warning? Of course if it is mere speculation with no substance then the company can deny it, which there appear not to have done in this case.