Happy Songs (高兴)

田原：电影《高兴》（Gao Xing, 2009）歌曲二首

为什么呢 作　词／作　曲：肖飞、小文；演　唱：郭涛、田原 女：确定一定以及肯定 　　把我抱在你怀里 　　紧紧的相偎依 　　然后大声说出 合：我爱你 男：为什么呢？我捡破烂的 　　为什么呢？我臭烘烘的 　　为什么呢？难道你可怜我？ 女：为什么呢？我是按摩小姐 　　为什么呢？你却不嫌弃我 　　为什么呢？是锅巴惹的祸…… 男：别看我现在很落寞　小时候妈妈很疼我 　　经常带我去县城　去百货　去各种公共场合 　　人见人爱的我　吸引了不少的游客 　　他们边看边问妈妈说 　　大姐，你们家猴儿哪儿买的？ 女：确定　一定　以及　肯定 男：为什么呢？我捡破烂的。为什么呢？我臭烘烘的 女：我已经爱上你　（男：为什么呢？　） 女：永远不分离　　（男：难道你可怜我） 女：你是我的唯一　 合：为什么呢 女：我是按摩小姐　（男：你是按摩小姐） 合：为什么呢？ 女；你会欣赏我　　（男：你会爱上我　） 合：为什么呢 女：是锅巴惹的祸…… 男：大声说出 女：…爱…………　（男：你爱我……　） 男：为什么呢？ 女：为什么呢？

洗浴中心 作　词／作　曲：肖飞、秦天 我们是天你们是地 没有我们就没有你 你来这里放松身体 放松神经别太着急 胃口不好头晕肾虚 心脏不好你要调理 别想太多　来个深呼吸 快乐安然　要从现在起 女：你们应该放松　精神 男：我们只是想放松精神 　　我们只是想忘记自己 女：千万不要忘记　自己 男：我们只是想身体健康 女：只要身体就　好　好 男：所以我们才来到这里 早睡早起锻炼身体 少荤多素要有规律 学会放松善待自己 事业第二身体第一 快乐就是不愁不急 腰酸背疼按摩脚底 快乐开心是硬道理 松骨推油不弃不离 ………… 附：其他歌曲和视频在此下载。

Chinese to English (年少闯西洋)

★、房东问我：Did you eat anything yet? （你吃饭了吗？）我说：No.（没吃）。她听后重复一遍：So you didn’t eat anything.（所以你还没吃饭）我说：Yes.（是的——中文本意是肯定房东的话，英语听起来却是“吃了”）。房东老太太犹豫了下，又问：Did you eat?（你到底吃了没）我说：No.（没有）她接着说：So you didn’t eat?（所以你没吃？）我说：Yes.（是的）……估计她当时要崩溃了……
★、刚上班不久，有个公司的A/R打电话来催支票，我循例问了一下他是哪间公司打来的，那男的很有礼貌的说：“This is Jack calling from Beach Brother.”（我是Beach Brother的Jack）……当时听懂了好开心。不过由于对公司名字还不熟，心想先用笔记下来公司名，省得等下忘记了。正得意忘形之间，顺嘴开始拼写人家公司的名字，还说得一本正经：“b.i.t.c.h......bitch, correct?（贱货，荡妇）”……那男的终于还是没能忍住怒火，近似于怒吼似的对我喊道：“NO!!! B.E.A.C.H......BEACH!!!!!!（海滩）”……接下来的一年里，再没跟这间公司有过任何生意往来……
★、第一次跟老外去打paintball，玩的是抢旗的那种。由于第一次玩，一直跟着个看起来很专业的队友跑，一路上躲着子弹跑到对方的base。我们人都挂了，对方就剩一个人在看老家。就听那老外跟我说了一大堆术语，我也没听懂。他看我没听懂就跟我说：It’s easy. Just cover me when I go out.　说完了就喊了一声：Cover me!　然后跑了出去，我也不懂他是让我掩护他，没等我想清楚他就跑了。我就顺手从一个箱子上扯下来一块帆布，丢他头上，把他盖住了。结果他就光荣牺牲了。当时大部分人都挂了，在旁边观战。所有人都笑趴了。
★、在温哥华乘skytrain的时候，一个白人女人说：I am sorry（对不起）……我直接说：You are welcome（不客气）……对方都呆了。
★、我刚来的时候邻居小孩看见我跟我说what’s up（最近怎样？）我疑惑的朝天上看了半天然后说了句“up?”……那孩子顿时无语。
★、老黑跟我说的是sup（what's up 的简称）……我没听懂……我也回：“sup”……瑟~~~
★、读语言学校的时候，一个哥们儿很爱讲，和老师聊天练习英语。口沫横飞了半天，那老师很生气的说：Don’t speak Chinese to me.
★、刚来时写信把 From/To写反了，邮了两天回到自己家……
★、刚来的时候看到很多大厦门口都有Smoke free（可以吸烟）……我由衷地感叹：加拿大就是好，抽烟都免费！
★、我一个朋友，想在家做饭。家里没有油，就去超市买了一瓶回来。开火，放油，然后锅里开始出现大量泡沫，接着烧了起来……回头一问房东，他买的是洗洁精……
★、讲一个我老公的笑话：去年过情人节，我让他买点牛排回来。出门前怕他忘记了，就给写了一张纸条。吃饭的时候他说他去LOBLAW买牛排的时候，给店员说来两块T-BACK牛排，店员愣住，他以为店员没有听清楚，又重复了一遍，T-BACK STEAK PLEASE！店员这次听到了，顿时石化！我老公见店员愣在那里，连忙把我写的纸条递过去，那小伙子一看，上书：T-BONE STEAK！这回轮到我老公石化，尴尬不已了！
★、一个好朋友刚来加拿大，有一天口渴了想喝可乐。她到便利店很大声的说“Excuse me, do you have coke?”……可是我朋友刚出国，英文尚有很重的口音，好端端的COKE让她说出来就变成了“Excuse me, do you have cock?”店主听得一惊一乍的，连连说：WHAT??? WHAT?!!最后店主终于弄明白她想要喝可乐，钱货两清之后，见我朋友多半是初来乍到，还很好心的给我朋友说以后去买可乐不能再问别人有没有COCK了，那样很让人误会！本来我朋友完全不知道发生了什么事，可是听了店主解释以后恨不得立刻找个地缝钻进去！以后很长一段时间都不喝可乐了！
★、一次跟一个兄弟去吃饭，那大哥吃饱以后指著满桌剩下的碟子一边划圈一边问服务生How much, all this, how much?　服务生五官扭曲的看著他……我最后实在忍不住了，告服务生说他想买单，结果服务生走以后他还不爽，说人服务生就快明白了我打什么岔……
★、还有一次是去McDonald，问朋友“圣代”的英文怎么说。他就说是音译sundae。我茅塞顿开，恍然大悟，十分自信的说了一句……那“奶昔”是不是叫“Nancy”????朋友当场喷可乐……
★、第一次打电话叫TAXI。对方问where you from.....我回答CHINA，还在奇怪叫taxi还分国籍？对方可能以为我在搞笑，很郁闷的说：Sorry, we cannot do that.（抱歉我们去不了）……我一听，火大。怎么有种族歧视啊？就问：Why？对方楞了半天，挂了……
★、我朋友的事，有一回，她去买pizza，人家问她选配料。她想要mushroom（蘑菇），结果她说Mash Maro（流氓兔）。人家疯了~~
★、刚到US的朋友，到了纽约，想去看自由女神，但是不知道路。于是乎在路边抓了一个白佬：Hi, do you know where is the free woman?（你知道哪里可以找到不要钱的女人）白老愣了半天，支支吾吾：I...... don’t know......Tell me when you know it.（我不知道，你要是知道也告诉我一下）
★、小学在国内刚学英语的时候，有一天老师问大家土豆用英语怎么说？全体同学很整齐的回答：“today”。
★、小时候不清楚Family跟Husband的分别。上学没多久，老师问我：“衣服很好看，谁买的?”我居然弱弱的答：“My Husband”。
★、有一天去KFC，要土豆泥，不会说，就在那里跟cashier苦喊potato sauce。她以为我SB呢，然后，给我了7,8袋ketchup。……被鄙视了~~~~~
★、在加拿大帮老外拔火罐，但是罐很容易掉，我的英语不好，我解释说：You have too much fur。他听了之后大笑：It is hair, not fur, fur is for animal。我也大笑了起来。
★、有一天看见我住的HOUSE门前插了个有人像的照片拍子，以为房东要卖房，照片上的人是房产经纪。第二天日，突然发现，周围一片都被插上同样的牌子，心想这个经纪厉害。出去转了一天感觉不对，所到之处都是他在卖房，太NB了，还没见过一夜之间全城的房子都给一个经纪垄断了……研究一下才知道，妈的，选举广告……
★、我朋友刚来的时候不认识什么人，所以在班上试图交朋友。一日，觉得一白人哥们人挺好，想要人家电话号码，日后做朋友。于是问：HOW MANY IS YOU PHONE NUMBER? （你电话号码多少位数字？）白人说：TEN.（加拿大号码是十位的）……
★、有个人来还钱，去银行说从他某处直接转账过来：“Put my card money to her card （把我卡里的钱放在她的卡里，中式英语）”……然后看到那个bank的职员，整个五官扭成一团……
★、刚来的时候，去BURGER KING去吃饭，点完汉堡，人家问我要酱不，我说要，人家问，哪种？我忘了番茄酱咋说了，想了半天，想出了个JAM，人家还听不懂，最后一赌气说，IT’S UP TO YOU（你说了算）。
★、刚来去ESL，跟老师请假后去JOB FAIR。回来老师在班上问如何？我想说太多老外，答成：TOO MANY FORIENGERS!（太多老外了）老师说：You Are The Forienger In CANADA.（在加拿大你是老外）
★、刚来加拿大的时候去酒吧玩……而且还带了一个美美去的，她在国外呆了很一段时间。我看她很吊的样子，于是我就装的很帅，走过去打算请她喝酒，于是我问她，喝什么酒，她说：sex ON THE beach……但是当时很吵，我也压根不知道酒吧里都啥酒名，听成 son of bitch...当时我也愣了下。可是吧台很性感的bar tender（酒保）已经在等我叫酒，我回头大声地喊：Can I have a son of bitch（来一杯狗娘养的）……接下来……我不想再回忆了……
★、有一次听到同学在打电话投诉Rogers乱收费，打的是英文客服，结果越骂越激动，最后来了一句I am very HUNGRY now!　那老大原本是想说I am very angry now……客服啥反应我是不知道了，那老大讲完自己就石化了，我已经倒地上……
★、在home stay住。想洗澡，跟房东说了后，房东说：Go ahead。我当时寻思：去个头的意思，是能去还是不能去啊？
★、有次买车票，工作人员问我one way?　我回答：No, two way。他又问了我几遍我的答案还是一样的……结果那人很郁闷地看着我~~~后来才反应过来自己还在中文的思维中~~~我把他的意思解释为One way==一位？我们是两个人，所以two way==两位。
★、第一次去唐人街吃粥，当时服务员都讲广东话。我叫了个果子（油条）和一碗粥。不久服务员就端了杯桔子汁，我以为送的，什么都没说，粥都喝完了，油条还没来。准备结帐时和服务员抱怨没吃到果子。服务员说：你的“果汁”不是喝了么？
★、想起还有一个朋友在语言学校时的东北一小哥的笑话，不过那男孩是好心。那天那小哥下课快到家了，结果看到两辆车撞了，他就出于好心报警了，“Hi, My name is XYZ, a car ed a car, I see red water, plz cal Wuliwuli come ......”　解释一下，a car ed a car 就是car crash（撞车）, red water他是想说blood（血）, wuliwuli是ambulance（救护车）。因为ambulance的声音听起来是这样子的……其实他是想说：there’s a car crash here, someone injured. Plz call ambulance come over......最搞得是，police竟然听明白了，警车和ambulance马上就到了……牛啊！！！
★、我的一个朋友说，当时他一个不懂英文的朋友刚来多伦多，自己一个人出去了，迷路了然后打电话给他，他说没关系你把你现在的地方路名拼给我听，他朋友一个字母一个字母地拼出来了“S--T--O--P" （车站）。我那朋友当场就乐傻啦！
★、刚来上发现老外都喜欢用铅笔，所以去book store跟风买铅笔和橡皮。找不到橡皮就问Do you have ruber? 人家笑笑说让我去phamacy（药店）买。郁闷……为什么去药店买橡皮，去了药店问do you have ruber? 人家笑笑拿给我一盒避孕套。我倒~~！！原来加拿大管橡皮叫eraser.
★、刚来的时候，经常说you too....结果我生日那天，我的home-stay mom买了个生日蛋糕给我，还跟我说happy birthday......结果我很快的就来了句：you too.（你也是）
★、还有刚来加拿大的时候去买快餐，英文很烂的我就说：I want combo one,（大号的）后来那个人又说了一大堆英文问我要洋葱cheese（奶酪）么之类的？我听不懂就一个劲说：i want combo one。后来我看见那个人像中国人，我就直接问他Can you spell Chinese? （你能拼写中文吗？）然后那个人郁闷了好久我为啥问他能不能拼Chinese。后来才发现是speak不是spell............丢脸……
★、一同学第一次去吃McDonald。结果进去后一紧张，大声说了句：I want to this han baobao，边说边指。对方一时不知所措，我那同学又重复了N遍……
★、有个朋友来加拿大第一次去吃牛排，服务员问：How would you like your steak done?　我朋友没听懂，就听别人点的时候说medium，他就想“我不能跟他们学”。他就跟服务员说：Large please.　服务员一愣，说sorry we don’t have that.　然后他又说，Small please.　服务员又吓了一跳，说sorry we don’t have that.　他身边的朋友着急了，告诉他，人家问你牛排要几分熟。他随口就说80%。服务员又一愣说，sorry we don’t have that……
★、刚来没多久，BMO打电话给我介绍很多关于银行服务的东西，我一直答：“ok, ok, ok”，然后她一直说一直说，说了大概10~15分钟，似乎讲完的意思，我完全听不懂，然后说了一句：“Sorry, I don’t understand.”最后换她说了一句“OK”，然后就挂线了！
★、刚来加拿大的时候，去学校上课谁都不认识，然后中午自己吃饭。听同学说有家的咖啡很不错，然后就想去买。可是走错地方了，跑去了一个法国餐厅。就坐下来点了个最便宜的。吃完饭，不知道咋埋单。然后看到隔壁桌有个男的说：bill。就听到bill这个词了，然后就把服务生叫过来说：I am finished，bill bill~~~然后还顺势用手做手枪的手势给那女的看。这回人家可吓坏了……然后叫了俩男的过来，把我朋友也吓坏了。解释了半天，才出去……
★、上课时，老师要给我们发邮件，就让我们一个一个说邮件地址，轮到我，我直接顺口就说：XXXX圈儿msn点儿com，~~~~~
★、一次坐公车，准备下车起来时，不小心碰到了旁边的人，下意识地说了句：“不好意思”。结果那人看着我，什么反映都没有，然后我才意识到，赶紧改口说SORRY。
★、陪朋友去配眼镜。朋友在两副眼镜间挑选。我想问：“Which one is pricy?”（哪个更贵）结果说成：“Which one is spicy?”（哪个更辣）……卖眼镜那女的蹬大眼睛望着我……好在我马上改正。
★、我妈一天晚上从超市回来开车，天黑了，倒车的时候，突然喊了句：“妈呀，前面的车无人驾驶啊……”我楞了，仔细一看……是个小黑在开车……还有跟我爸妈去超市，看见一个好像南美洲的人，我爸说，“你看人家买东西，不看价，啥都要，都往小车里拿……”后来我才明白，那是超市理货员，人家是把不该放那的东西拿走……
★、过关的时候，因为带两个不同颜色的隐形眼镜，海关人员问我怎么回事，当时不会说隐形眼镜，就直接取下来给他看。周围的人都看着特郁闷……
★、以前在澳洲读书的时候，有一次，上语言课，老师让造句，意思是没有车的话，我们就不去了。我一同学直接起来回答：NO CAR NO GO！！！
★、有个ESL的女老师，在白板上写字，我冲她的背影大叫：“Excuse me, sir.”　她转过来说：I need to consider which washroom I should go.（我需要想想要去哪一个厕所）
★、还记得刚来CA没多久，周末和几个好朋友去当地的farmer market（农产品市场）凑热闹。过两天回学校上课，老师问我们周末都有什么活动？其中一个去的朋友的英文发音实在不敢恭维，而且是女生，根本不懂英文的脏话，直接就跟professor说：We went to ****er market in weekend.（周末去了色情市场）……我听了差点吐血……
★、刚来的时候去麦当劳吃饭。没有餐巾。跟人说要paper（paper是纸，餐巾纸应该是tissue）那人过会给我拿来了张白纸，还问do you need a pen?（还要笔吗？）我狂晕了半天，然后是跑去厕所洗手的……
★、我的某人初来报道，跑到Ｍ记买面包。之前表现很是不错，一直维持到服务员问：here or to go（堂食还是外带）？第一次接触外带餐这词，还好思维敏捷马上明白过来了，可是嘴上紧张，对着那男服务员直接喊出：“Let’s go!”......服务员石化一秒后，说了句OK。
★、刚到时不知听谁说的，加拿大的公车是感应的，你站到后门就能开，我们一溜人下车，其中一个女孩走最前，她脚踩下去后看门没反应，就想，这儿的老外都那么大体形，是不是因为她太瘦小了，分量不够，门感应不到呀，于是她又上来一个台阶，然后重重的跳下去。其实俺们没拉绳，人家哪知道有人要下车呀……
★、去吃麦当劳，指着上面的套餐点了个看着顺眼的，人老外问我要喝什么饮料，当时不知道是个套餐，想着还是省钱吧，俺不喝了，就说不用不用，人老外还特地道的问：Are u sure（你确定吗）？我还不知感激的心里想：“就不买，就不让你们赚”。哎……亏了……
★、学校当时强迫要星期天去教会。听不懂那个牧师说话，礼拜完了的时候，老师很好心跟牧师说：我的新学生，祝福他吧。然后牧师把手放我肩上说了一堆#$%^$$#。我不知道怎么react（回应）~~~我也把手放他肩上~~~~~~~~~老师嘴巴变O型了。
★、我一朋友，中午去吃汉堡，厨子问他要加什么，他说：tomato, cheese, and washroom （本想说mushroom，就是蘑菇的意思；washroom意为厕所）。当时所有人流汗到地-_-
★、一个朋友刚来的时候去M.C点了个套餐。就听casher说“@#￥#@……%……”（不习惯当然听不懂了）　我朋友就说“yes”。然后casher又说“!#￥%@#￥%”。我朋友说“yes”。后面一个中国人实在忍不住了，告诉他“他问你是要刷卡还是给cash，你yes个啥呀？”……
★、一起上ESL，有个大哥每天都坐第一排，特认真地听课。有一天老师看他这么认真，上课就主动和他讲话。老师说：“How are you?”他说：twenty-two。老师忍了下，说：what did you do yesterday? 他说：yes。从此老师再没和他对过话~~~
★、我朋友刚来，坐公车。有个传教士类的人特友好地跟他打招呼，说How is going? 他说：go to school~~~~~那个人一下就不会说话了……
★、刚上初中那会儿第一次去学校厕所，而且一般都要和OFFICE里的人报告。屁颠屁颠地跑去了，一到那里是个白人大妈值班，看到我问我要干啥。我想说厕所(washroom)是不是太土了点就和她说：Where is the bedroom located? I need to pee。然后就看那大妈瞪着我问：Excuse me?……我还特傻地继续问：Bedroom, you know where u pee and poo =.= 大妈想了想就微笑地和我说：I’m sorry honey. We don’t have a bedroom in school, but if u r looking for a bathroom, it’s down the hall.………我当时就汗了，把bathroom说成bedroom =.=|||
★、来的第二年了，我去商店买鞋，然后拿着就去问营业员：Is this made of beef or pork (俺的意思就是猪皮还是牛皮的)，那个营业员的表情到现在都记得。
★、刚来，去SENECA体育馆打羽毛球，不会说羽毛球，连手势带比划，看门小姐还是不懂。急了！！！大声的说：I want a ball can fly, like a bird. Please!!!　看门小姐一脸迷茫的跟我说了一堆。我还是没懂。同去的朋友告诉我说：她不负责抓鸟。
★、我舅舅刚来多伦多没多久发生了车祸。警察来了问他当时的情况。他说：I stop, he not, so "BONG" ! * BONG* 就是那撞车的声音……
★、刚来不久和爸爸去买东西，买了之后发现隔壁卖的更便宜，就想退货。人家问为什么要退，我词量有限，就指著我爸说：“he just wants his money back.”
★、刚来的时候地理老师叫Mr.Saker。我叫成了Mr.Sucker。后来地理差点儿没pass。
★、跟一个女生去银行开户，一个银行职员很亲切地走上前来，还没开口说话，就听那女生说“May I help you?”职员当时就石化，我就在后面拉她衣服，她侧头跟我说，别捣乱别捣乱。然后又对人家说了一次“MAY I HELP YOU”
★、刚来的时候我们三人行，好朋友，两女一男。有天合伙去市场，那个男生想买茄子，上来就问：“How much for one kilometer?”我和另一个女生觉得太丢脸，默默的闪开假装不认识他。
★、某某老公刚来的时候英语很不好，坐天车的时候不小心踩了一个白人女的的脚，结果他想躲开的时候不小心又踩了那女的另一只脚。那女的就瞪着他，他想说“I’M SORY”……结果一着急就特别大声的说成了“IT’S OK!”然后那女的就也特别大声的回他一句：“IT’S NOT OK!!!”全车人都疯了……
★、一个朋友，才来英国不都是要去警察局注册嘛，我那个朋友当时英文不是一般的差，他连警察局怎么说都不知道。但是他还是很有勇气，一个人打算去警察局注册。走在路上，他随便抓了一个老爷爷，想问说警察局在哪里。但是他发音不标准，把police说成please，那个老爷爷挣扎了半天，听不懂。他着急了：“please啊，wear hat, use gun！”一边说一边还比划动作。终于那个老爷爷听懂了，然后回答他：“you want to find police? they are everywhere!”他更着急了，于是大声说：“no no no, I want a group of please, they stand together....”那个老爷爷这次真的听懂了，原来他是要找police station！于是老爷爷把他带去了，还对police说这个从中国来的小伙子英文不好，他需要帮助。
★、朋友的男朋友好猛，他刚来的时候去超市，人家问他要不要cash back，他还以为买东西还有钱收，就说要！人家问他要多少，他就跟人家说：as much as possible!
★、去SHOPPERS买掏耳朵的棉棒，一边做掏耳朵的动作一边问：DO U HAVE CONDOM STICK?　店员巨迷茫的两手一摊WHAT?　我朋友立马使劲掏耳朵CONDOM啊,CONDOM STICK啊……表演了半天，店员恍然大悟：DO U MEAN COTTON Q TIPS?（注：CONDOM是安全套）
★、我朋友叫李硕，刚来英国第二天有个老外问他：Are you sure?（你确定吗）他想都没想还笑嘻嘻的跟人说：Yes, I am Shuo Lee!（我是李硕）
★、刚来的时候，住一个寄宿家庭的男生非要请我吃饭，结果就去了麦当劳。他问我你要什么，我帮你点。我说我就要第一个的那个meal就行。他说行，我跟你吃一样的。结果老哥上去就跟人家说：“Number one two." （一号和二号）点餐的白人听不懂，他跟人家大声地重复了三遍，他自己还特生气。
★、我有一女朋友刚来，长的不错，遇一阿×搭讪，那哥们儿特直接，张口就问我朋友：R u married?（你结婚了吗）我朋友楞了下，来了句：I am not MARY, I am SHERRY.（我不是Mary，我是Sherry）她以为人家问她你是MARY吗？
★、第一次来英国正好遇上入关检查特严，她妈妈让她给这边的一个朋友带了个金华火腿，被狗狗闻出来了，就被领去office了。然后officer就要她解释用报纸包起来的东西是什么。我那同学说：leg。然后那officer一脸被吓到的表情，问了句"Pardon"……然后我那朋友很大声重复说leg！她说我当时想那officer怎么连火腿都不懂，还特地在自己腿上比划了半天：leg啊……leg……就是leg啊……要不是后来有个中国人帮她我估计她在英国第一站是警察局……
★、刚来的时候和朋友打电话去必胜客。菜单上面是super supreme。我就很激动的对着电话喊：我要一个 super super me !!!!对方茫然。我还激动的大喊了好几声：super super me !~~对方继续茫然啊……拼出来以后对方才说：哦哦哦，super supreme ……一年都没有再定必胜客的东西。
★、一个人说刚出国，人家问他最近干什么，他说去看电影，然后问他有什么好电影，他说过两天有一部电影叫“COMING SOON”。
★、刚来英国不久，逛街的时候路上总有很多人发传单，所以就习惯性的会说：NO, THANKS。结果有次人家给的是新年宣传纸，还跟我说：HAPPY NEW YEAR。结果我很快回答：NO, THANKS。
★、想找份PART TIME的工作，看到有招工的，还有电话，我就打电话过去。当时刚来这里，好怕打电话。人家接电话，我一激动就说成：Do you need a job?
★、上英语课，跟同学做interview......我问她喜欢做什么。她说：hanging out in the cafeteria with friends......我当时就奇怪，为什么她喜欢吊在餐厅呢？然后我去问那个助教。我还做了嗰吊死的动作。她看后，笑到疯了……我却很无奈……嗨！hanging out...
★、前两天去店里买了一瓶啤酒，结帐的时候一个超级帅哥男店员问，How　old　are　you?　心里一惊，想难不成他要ASK　ME　OUT，就回答：17。然后那男的就说，ID　PLEASE。
★、刚来英国的时候老是不记得司机的位置和国内是反的。那时候叫出租车来了之后，司机帮我装完行李，就跟着他往前走，还想“他真绅士，要帮我开车门”。等他开完车门，转头看我站在身后，就无比绅士的笑着问我：“Do　you　want　to　drive?　
★、刚从国内回来，打了个车回去。车费大约八欧左右，我胳膊扭伤，所以我就给那个人十块，还解释说我受伤了，我给你十块，能不能帮我把箱子拉到前面一点去。说着就把钱给他。可是他就是不接，我正觉得怎么讲不通的时候，那个司机把钱递到我面前问我这是什么，我才发现原来我给的是人民币。
★、刚来的时候都很节省，一天五个男人去麦当劳，啥都看不懂....说那就买个便宜点的吧，五个人还都买一样的.....结果付钱的时候人家问了句“Sure?"还很郁闷，干吗啊，不能吗？结果拿到手一看，happy　meal......五个大男人，就在那坐着吃happy　meal，还带着玩具的呢。
★、我的同学，一个男生，刚来英国的时候要去银行开户存钱，他想存3000，可是一开口对着那个casher说，3-million。结果那个lady说你等等，一会，那家银行的经理出来了......
★、我们几个留学生在纽约一家中餐馆吃饭。看到有许多洋鬼子，我们就在那里议论说“这里老外还挺多”。因为我们桌上的都是从国内来的，大家也没想什么风土人情，一边吃一边把国内的习惯都带来了，高着嗓门在那里一会儿“老外”这个、一会儿“老外”那个地胡侃起来。正吃得高兴，邻桌一个老外结完了帐，走过我们的桌子，用标准的中文说了句：“朋友，在这里，你们才是‘老外’！”
★、刚来英国就去伦敦那个很有名的鬼城。一群人在黑暗里走着走着突然跳出一个扮鬼的工作人员大声喊着：谁要走最后我就吃了谁。只见一群人尖叫着往前跑，我同学还倒回来对那个工作人员说：Pardon???
★、朋友路遇外国小姐，小姐问：Doing a business?　朋友新来很老实，说：NO, I AM DOING engineering.
★、第一天报到，一个很漂亮的白人女生微笑的对我说，What's up?　我抬起头看了看天花板......回答道：Nothing Up.....
★、别人对我说“Give　me　Five”，我掏出了五块钱给他。

一根筋学英语

★、如果geese(鹅)的单数形式是goose，Portuguese(葡萄牙人)的单数为什么不能是Portugoose？
★、如果Poland(波兰)的人叫Poles，Holland(荷兰)的人为什么不能叫Holes？
★、如果infants(婴儿)可以享受infancy(婴儿期)，adults(成年人)为什么不可以享受adultery？
★、如果女士可以在nightclub(夜总会)穿eveninggowns，她们为什么不能穿nightgowns？
★、如果一个弹奏piano(钢琴)的人叫pianist，驾驶racecar(赛车)的人为什么不能叫racist？
★、如果look与see的意义相近，为何overlook与oversee的意义相反？
★、如果horrific与horrible的意义相近，为何terrific与terrible的意义相反？
★、tomb、comb和bomb的拼写相近而发音却毫不相同。当年发明英语的人是否有点乱来？
★、为什么伏特加酒＋桔汁＋镁乳＝Phillips　Screwdriver?
★、有谁能在英语中找到与month、orange、silver或purple押韵的词?
★、为什么你要启动你的手表就windup，而如果你要结束一件事情也要windup？
★、你把所有的前给那个人去投资，他却使你穷得一个子儿不剩(broke)。有什么比把那个人称作broker更恰当的？
★、为什么美国的football不怎么用脚？
★、为什么明明是美国人自己与自己打的棒球赛却偏要称之为World　Series(世界大赛)？
★、一个教士被开除称作defrocked，如果以此类推，能不能对电工说：“You　are　delighted！”对音乐家说：“You　are　denoted！”对模特儿说：“You　are　deposed！”对烫衣妇说：“You　are　depressed！”或对导游小姐说：“You　are　de　toured！”？

签名档的故事

　　一个朋友的MSN昵称后面写着：Do　people　want　thick　road。看到之后我颇为感慨：这句话真是问出了很多人的心声。人们是不是总希望走在拥挤的路上呢？人们是不是总是害怕孤独呢？但是一个want，又说明其实人还是孤独的。所以才会want。但是由于是问句，所以可能说话的人也很疑惑。到底是不是所有人都需要？可能他感到了孤独，但是他周围的人的行为却让他觉得。也许不是所有人的感觉都跟他一样。也许他最近遇到了什么事情了吧。这可能还是要问他本人才行。我正感慨着，我这个朋友上线了。我给他发消息：你的昵称真好，能告诉我具体什么意思吗？他很快给我发过来回复：

……

……

……

　　做人要厚道
　　做人要厚道！！
　　做人要厚道！！！！！！
　　做人要厚道！！！！！！！！！！！！

The Microsoft Blog

Memo: 66 Volt workers have not accepted wage cuts

　　Some Microsoft contractors are apparently following through on threats to refuse pay cuts mandated in recent weeks.
　　According to an internal memo obtained by the Seattle P-I, 66 employees at Volt, which is generally considered to be Microsoft's largest temporary staffing firm, have not signed amendments to their contracts, which would include 10 percent pay cuts. If contractors do not accept the wage cuts, they lose their jobs. The memo shows that one of the 66 is on vacation. However, some of the other employees are marked as "thinking" or having "escalated".
　　A Volt manager did not respond to a message seeking comment this afternoon.
　　Earlier this month, Microsoft alerted its temporary staffing firms that it would cut bill rates by 10 percent as part of a cost-cutting measure. All of the major firms have since cut wages.

Contractors protest Microsoft wage cuts

　　About 15 temporary staffers employed at Microsoft gathered at a prominent intersection outside the company's corporate headquarters in Redmond Monday evening to protest upcoming wage cuts.
　　Microsoft told its temporary staffing agencies two weeks ago that it would cut its bill rates by 10 percent, in an effort to slash the amount it spends on contingent staff by up to 15 percent.
　　All of the major staffing agencies have since alerted employees that they will need to agree to wage cuts of as much as 10 percent or lose their jobs.
　　The contractors protesting Monday at the intersection of 156th Avenue and Northeast 40th Street said the ultimatum is unfair because they agreed to a fixed pay rate when they signed on to their Microsoft assignments, which typically last at most one year.
　　The staffing agencies argue that they can cut wages because the workers are employed at will.
　　"I think it's a really bad precedent that Microsoft is setting," said Twilight Wade, a software design engineer in test, who works for the Volt staffing agency.
　　"What's the point of a contract if it's not honored?" He said he would not agree to the cut and would likely therefore lose his job Tuesday.
　　Phil Palios, a Volt software design engineer in test, organized the protest, e-mailing a list of 2,000 contractors to tell them about it.
　　The protest was notably low-key, and attendance was much less than Palios had predicted. Palios held the only sign, upon which he had scrawled, "No Pay Cuts." A few cars driving by honked. But Palios pledged to stand at the intersection each day for the next two weeks and said the protest was a start.
　　"We need to show how we're all here together," he said, asking his fellow protesters to brainstorm ideas about how they could organize.
　　A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment about the situation.
　　Over the last month, the company has taken a series of other steps to cut costs. Microsoft has slashed 1,400 jobs and has said it will lay off up to an additional 3,600 employees over the next 18 months.

⇒ Show All Comments - Originally from Seattle Tech Report

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/2/09 8:59 p.m.
The fact that we contractors have contracts completely negates any other argument. We signed an agreement to work for our employers on assignment for a full year at [x] amount. Our contracts have been breached. It was done without any chance at negotiation from those of us doing the work. Instead we have been handed an ultimatum of accept it or walk.
Nowhere in our contract does it state that this can be done. The conditions to which we signed on have been altered without our consent. Any other argument is superfluous.
While it may be true that Microsoft did not alter our contracts, this is the excuse our employers have used to justify their actions. In the blanket emails that went out notifying employees of the mandatory change the fact that MS cut their budget to contigent staff was the sole reason for our pay cut. As such our employers have stated that this was the fault of a MS action and logic would dictate that MS also has the ability to alter that. So anger at both parties, MS and our direct employers, is appropriate since both blame the other but in the end it is we workers who are out 10% of our agreed upon wages.
Statements such as "they should be happy to even have jobs" are the whines from those who succumb to fear tactics. If we do not make noise about this, if we don't publicize what's happening then we're party to this illegal act. Perhaps if those who happen to be unemployed were not silent they'd still have jobs. Who's to say? But keeping quiet is not an option.

---

Posted by Scampi at 3/2/09 8:44 p.m.
"Intel outsourcing some Atom manufacturing to TSMC".
10 percent less next year...
TSMC actually has a plant here in WA. http://www.wafertech.com/
Just so you know for future reference. :)
As for this unionization garbage? Man, I've got 0 interest in that. If MS is going to cut pay across the board, i'd rather it keep a company healthy then end up making the same money at the end of the day as I do now because that overage now goes to union dues.
Let's be honest here, the only winners here are the people who cut the costs and will get good reviews, and this Phil guy who's spearheading this. He'll end up the big class-action winner, and the rest of us will end up with MORE restrictions to how/where/when we can work, what our pay scale is, and worse off in the end.
I was part of the suit class in the Vizcaino suit. I didn't believe in it, but it was either my money or more in a lawyers pocket so I took it. 10 years later, i've been stuck with 100 days breaks here at MS, 6 month breaks down at Intel, and assorted day-to-day garbage because of that suit. I'd rather have the earning power of those months and the stability to do things like buy a home than have the check I got then.
I'm not saying this is right. I'm saying everyone's just going about fixing it the wrong way.
Work slowdowns? That's asking to be fired for non-performance!
Day-Without-an-ADash? again, fired!
Unionization? Don't we already complain about how much the agencies get for nothing? You really want a union rep in there too taking a cut? Good luck!
Whoever above said that people should be protesting THEIR OWN AGENCIES had it right. We work AT MS, not FOR MS. Apparently the old suits didn't get that through to some people.
The Agencies should be protesting magically getting paid less. You all should be making your agencies lives miserable. Fifteen people outside MS doesn't mean anything when MS doesn't control the trickledown of the money they pay out.

---

Posted by SuO at 3/3/09 11:17 a.m.
I happen to know contract agencies mark a percentage overhead for the hourly rate, and the last time I heard, the cheapest percentage was 24%. So if you make $50/hour, the cheapest agency is charging Microsoft $62/hr. If you are on the salaried option with a contract agency, they can bill you out at whatever they think they can get. I personally would never choose salaried. Oh, and that company charging the 24%, that is NO benefits, no nothing except cutting you a check every two weeks. If people want to be upset, I personally think they should be looking at their agencies more rather than just blaming Microsoft.
As for FTE pay, Microsoft does not pay as well as the rest of the industry, but they wholly make up for it with medical benefits. Someone said on one of these blog entries that the medical benefits should be taken away. I personally know of many of the high end folks who only stay at Microsoft and the lesser pay BECAUSE of the benefits. Microsoft would see quite a brain drain, imo, if they lost those bennies. Someone else asked if the execs are also taking the salary hits of no merit pay increases. I've heard conflicting things about this. Someone above says everyone is. I've heard that GM/PUM level 67s above are not, but it is total unconfirmed hearsay.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/3/09 1:51 p.m.
The contractors (disclosure: I am one) need to read their contracts more closely.
Both Microsoft and the agency retain the right to terminate the contract at will for any reason.
They may or may not offer a new contract at their sole discretion.
The agencies are terminating the current contract and offering a new one, both of which they have a perfect right to do. The protest is out of line and inappropriate. Emailing 2,000 contractors (including myself) is out of line and inappropriate. Claiming this is a violation of contract terms is simply untrue, as well as out of line and inappropriate.
Is job security effectively nonexistent in this industry? Yes. But that's not Microsoft's fault, and it's not the contract agencies' fault, and if it's anyone's fault at all... it's probably OURS. We chose to work under these terms. We could always have said "no" and held out for more job security, but we didn't.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/3/09 8:23 p.m.
I blame Microsoft, the agencies and myself. I'm a chicken with a large mortgage that now takes two paychecks to make. The right thing to do is leave now, but I don't want to ruin my perfect FICO score.
I will never again work for the agency that passed the reduction on to me. Neither should any of you. It is time to lay the cards on the table and stop protecting agencies and corporations. Create a free website and post hourly rates anonymously but include your title and years of relevant experience. Anyone with knowledge reveal what the agencies are charging on top of our rates. How much blue sky can we see today. Let's create a real market for our intellectual and creative power. We are not doing manual labor, many of us are creating valuable intellectual property. We are making the corporations rich by enabling them to harvest our innovations at absurdly low rates. Wikinomics feed the corporation not the innovator.
Lets turn wikinomics and globalization upside down. If a union does get started, it cannot be local, state or national but must be a global union of technology workers. International labor unions are the only counter measure to international corporations. Our union power should not be abused or else we'll evolve into the same unreasonable union as GM and Boeing. Our union should be organized like a wiki. Bureaucratic hierarchies and old value networks get corrupted easily.
WikITunion the way! End the hundred day!

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/3/09 8:55 p.m.
Agency worker: I did not assert there wasn't a contract - it just isn't with you. It is with your Agency with you as the named resource.
What MS is proposing in the rate cut is a termination of the existing contract and creation of a new contract at a lower rate. If you don't accept the rate cut, your agency will change the named resource and create a new contract without you.
You can fear-monger all you want on these boards, but the contract I signed is with me and my agency. Period. My contract is separate from any contract my agency signed with Microsoft. The two are separate and separately legally enforceable.
NO ONE is arguing the agency cannot terminate a contract.
The issue is that the Agency cannot just unilaterally change the terms of my contract without renegotiating and re-signing. That is called breach of contract and it's illegal.
Clearly working for an agency doesn't make a person an expert in contract law.

---

Posted by SuO at 3/4/09 8:42 a.m.
To unregistered user post #267544 -
What 15%? I ask that not snarky btw. I believe FICA is about 7.5% between social security and medicare. Unemployment insurance is smaller, especially in high tech, and I believe tax deductible by the company.
In all fairness, I have never run a staffing agency, so I don't know all their overhead costs. However, it seems to me with some of them charging 30% or more on billing hours, that seems high to me.
The argument of contractor vs FTE is really all from the different peoples' perspective and greatly depends on which group and leadership you work for. Contractor overtime is limited when there are budget crunches. Both work OT and not. Both have lazy idiots and smart hard workers. As to the treatment of contractors with access to certain meetings and parties and now the break in work of 30-60 days, that is all the result of that nice little greedy lawsuit years ago where they wanted their high pay, OT pay, AND stock. So high tech companies had to make darn sure that contractors didn't get the wrong impression and think they were employees entitled to any FTE stuff. Before that, contractors were treated exactly as FTEs as far as inclusion in everything - I know, I was there.

---

Posted by cowatson at 3/11/09 6:20 p.m.
If their pay is similar to the kid making $70k who started a protest and then stopped when he finally got a clue, I do not feel sorry for these people when they are terminated. I am pretty sure they can be replaced.

---

Posted by StriderWA at 3/11/09 6:48 p.m.
I was laid off from my IT job in Jan. I'd gladly send my resume to their Volt contact and take one of those positions.

---

Posted by cj in seattle at 3/11/09 7:52 p.m.
Ah so this is how you do it with out riding the lay off train. I don't know what they pay was but you should send them your resume if your interested. You might want to find out what your signing on for first though.

---

Posted by TerryP at 3/11/09 8:08 p.m.
Correction to last post: Second sentence should be "what they paid" or "What your pay was."
Last sentence should be "...what you're signing on for first" and delete "though."
This demonstrates why newspapers have always used copy editors; a profession probably soon to disappear.
That all said, I applaud the courage of these people who are swimming against the proverbial tide. It makes me ashamed to admit I was the person who had said, in a raw attempt at humor, comparing Microsoft the Borg collective of Star Trek 2, that "resistance is futile" and encouraing contractors to just give up hope.
These people may lose their fight, but they show the continuing truth of what Robert Browning once said, to wit, "A man's reach must exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" (Hope all that was sans typos. My miserable excuse, if not, is it has been a long, tough day and dinner awaits.)

---

Posted by jeffw66seattle at 3/11/09 8:16 p.m.
Requiring employees to sign an "amendment" to a previously agreed upon contract makes the original contract not worth the paper it was ever printed on.
By refusing to sign, these employees are making a simple statement - written agreements are supposed to MEAN something. Here's hoping that their firings allow them to collect full unemployment benefits - which result in an increase in the employment security taxes that employer must bear.

---

Posted by voiceofreason1950 at 3/11/09 8:22 p.m.
jeffw, you make a good point about any subsequent firings if the contractors don't sign the amendment. This wouldn't be a "firing with cause" so it seems like the agency would have to pay up with unemployment. The downside for the contractor though is that they will never work in this town again. Agencies will tell you there is no "black list" but there is, oh yes there is.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/11/09 8:28 p.m.
I absolutely agree with jeffw66. These must be brave individuals who are unwilling to consent to the company simply taking advantage of their compromised job security and economic position to pressure them into accepting an unfair agreement.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/11/09 8:38 p.m.
"They just need more people to have a spine and join them."
And people say there is no place for unions any more these days....

---

Posted by AlbertCamus at 3/11/09 9:15 p.m.
This is Microsoft exploiting its workers in a down market. Micorsoft itself continues to make money hand over fist and there is no reason to lay off anyone or cut anyone's wages except to improve the bottom line some more on the backs of its workers.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/11/09 9:26 p.m.
Good luck to them, although it is certainly futile in the long run. MSFT has lived fat and happy by taking on contractors instead of employees for a VERY long time. What *really* needs to happen is the staffing agencies all need to stand up and say "a deal is a deal". If the staffing companies refused to go along, MSFT would fianlly have to hire actual employees for those jobs, which truthfully is what should have been going on all along. Sorry, but I can't get all emotonally upset for MSFT -- they have done a lot of good for the area for sure, but they have also been given a TON of waivers and breaks along the way.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/11/09 9:27 p.m.
i wouldnt take a 10% cut. as was said already microsoft is still making plenty of money and this is the reason why you need union representation. groceries have gone up 10% so how can you give up that much of your earning power.
the big reshuffle is real estate. these mortgage companies already have an appraisal theyre willing to value your real estate at and theyre willing to loan even less. i didnt get a memo but i tried to take advantage of the refi, no dice but i dint find they already have an appraised value....so why did i have to hire an apprasier?
ya say you want a revolution well ya know, we're all doing what we can

---

Posted by zardoz at 3/11/09 9:34 p.m.
I doubt most of these people are trying to make a point, nor do I think there is one to actually be made.
Microsoft is cutting wages. If their somebody don't like it, they're free to go elsewhere. If enough contractors left, I'm sure MS would reconsider their position, but I cringe at the thought of workers leaving due to a misguided sense of "solidarity" rather than evaluating their own personal situation and values and acting accordingly. It's this kind of group-think that has given unions such a lousy reputation.
Saying "Microsoft has plenty of money right now, they don't need to cut wages" is the kind of complacent thinking that's got GM and Chrysler on the brink of bankruptcy. To stay on top you've got to be a step ahead, and not simply do things out of necessity or desperation.
That's the beauty of the free market, each individual acting in their own self-interest. You don't have to debate what's right and what's wrong.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/11/09 10:02 p.m.
What these temps fail to understand is that their employment is at will. If they wish to longer work at the new wage they are not required to do so. However, MS/Volt are not required to retain them.
They might be great performers who are worthy of an exception. On the other hand, they might feel entitled to their pay even if their performance is only mediocre. None of us will really know. It will be interesting to see what happens to these 66 temps.

---

Posted by ComplexNumbers at 3/11/09 10:07 p.m.
Cowards never like it when and individual decides not to take it anymore and refuse to join the ranks of the cowardly.
The Soviet Union was brought to its knees by the actions of a few shipyard workers in Gdansk poland when they decided they would rather die than to hand thier children another generation of bowing and scraping to the economic powers that controlled every facet of their lives. The same monsters that controlled the USSR are in control of the economy of the world. We used to call them party bosses now we call them corporate wizards.
If the same people that seem to think that taking lower and lower wages will satisy the monster then all I can say is "keep kissing the beasts a## maybe they will keep you as a pet".
As for me and my children I would rather they stood up for what is right and not be a coward.
May God Bless the 60 "Refusniks".
May God Damn to eternity the greedy b######s that put Americas working people in this situation.
"To stand with workers is the primary duty of government all else is treason"
Abraham Lincoln

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/11/09 10:22 p.m.
IMHO, this company Volt is trying to pass the blame on Microsoft. Many service companies provide services to other companies. These rates are going down. So Volt revenue is going down. It is upto Volt to decide how it eats the decrease in its revenue.
Microsoft and other tech companies, are also losing revenue just like Volt is. Whether these tech companies do layoffs, or reduce pays, or take other measures it is upto them. If Dell is buying fewer licenses or cheaper licenses from Microsoft, should the layed off Microsoft employees blame Dell? Microsoft-Volt is a company to company, relationship based on market prices subject to negotiation and renegotiation. Volt-"and its employees" is a firm-worker relationship, which is a touchy subject. Contracts get negotiated all over the world. Airlines and Car companies are two such examples. The same is Volt, which provides workers, sell services at market rates. Anybody could replace Volt, e.g., Volt employees if there is another company instead of Volt. Such companies have to renegotiate with their employees in tough times.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/11/09 10:28 p.m.
Karma is in the house! Volt is laying off a large number of internal staff, particularly those in management positions, who have done such a poor job of managing the company. They have been tossing money down the crapper for years, particularly in the Seattle area, and specifically in the non-tech sector. The pretty offices and brain dead senior managers are not looking so good these days. THey are merging their tech and non-tech divisions and are desperately trying to stop the bleeding.
You should know that no one has had a 100% mark up on tech staffing since Y2k scared the crap out of companies. Staffing companies make poo on their large staffing contracts. Microsoft probably had a 42% mark up and is now in the 30's. In the staffing world that is a money losing operation. They screw the non-contract companies on mark-ups to make up for the low rates on fancy companies like Microsoft.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/11/09 10:32 p.m.
"It is typical for agencies to bill Microsoft up to 100% more than they pay the workers"
Not sure where you have done a contract, or if you have EVER done a contract, but consider the fact that the rates MSFT paid in the first place to temp workers have always been below market, because of their volume. To even think a company like Volt (or any of the others) is marking up a rate by 100% to MSFT and pocketing the difference is assinine. For some reason, someone always wants to jump on that horse, yet cannot prove any of it as fact. I worked there as a temp, and know that most of the other temps I talked to all were making about the same as me, and I knew what I was being billed at. There was a difference of about 30% between my pay and the rate to MSFT. Volt has a business to run as well, and like any smart business, they are going to cut costs when forced to cut revenue, that's business 101 if you've ever learned that.
The person that posted about the United Autoworkers mentality has it right, if MSFT wants to cut rates becasue the market is allowing it, they can, and any good business would do that. They don't answer to any of you, they answer to their shareholders.
Get a grip people and move onto something more relevant. So you took a 10% cut off your 70K a year job, better than 500 a week in unemployment, huh? Microsoft isn't the ones that put us all into this mess.
And to call workers that accepted a pay cut cowardly is assinine...shows that you think they all should be sacrificing their and their familie's best interest for your dated ideals on democracy and how we are all so enslaved to "the man"...go back to your cult or compound and keep stocking up your granola for the coming revolution.

---

Posted by KaninZ at 3/11/09 10:58 p.m.
Another argument for significant reform in hiring practices. It's time to try the DE-temping of America.
Temporary agencies are a good idea that has been misused to create a slave wage class of Americans who are fired, denied benefits, given reduced wages or hours at the whim of their contract agency and/or the business where they perform their work. All in the name of the bottom line.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 1:22 a.m.
When I temped years ago for law firms, I saw the billing. They paid me $8 an hr and Sarah Woods billed out at $13.50.
My wife negotiated between contracting companies at MS after her first 100 days off and when Volt tried to reclaim the contract (after she'd done the leg work - the agancy was a formality and had dome NOTHING to get her the job. She worked there years before as an FTE) they couldn't understand why she wouldn't continue to work for Volt at $4 less per hour and garbage for health benefits.
You can draw your own conclusion about their managment capabilities.
Microsoft has more contractors than FTEs - this is something corporate America has been doing for years. It makes their "core" set up look "lean" for investors.
MS has how many BILLIONS in cash reserves, but they need to pare down? That's NOTHING but taking advantage of market conditions to lower the cost of labor.

---

Posted by zardoz at 3/12/09 2:36 a.m.
That's NOTHING but taking advantage of market conditions to lower the cost of labor.
So what are they supposed to do, IGNORE market conditions? I don't think that would be a particularly savvy business strategy.
I've got a friend contracting at MS who had to take the pay cut, which dropped him to $32/hour. It's not like we're talking about minimum wage earners with no other options here. These are skilled, educated people that are capable of finding other jobs if MS pushes them too far.
But it's absurd to expect MS (or any business) to stand pat when the market has dramatically shifted. That's exactly the kind of complacency that's gotten the US automakers into so much trouble -- they spent far too many years with a work force that was overstaffed and overpaid. Only now, with no cash in the bank, are they finally making the drastic, painful cuts that should've been made years ago when they still had money.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 4:05 a.m.
ComplexNumbers writes-
If the same people that seem to think that taking lower and lower wages will satisy the monster then all I can say is "keep kissing the beasts a## maybe they will keep you as a pet".
Sending out a "you go guys" to the 66 Voltians. This is going to hurt many (but not all) of you financially in the short run, so I hope you've thought it through and are ready and willing to deal with that. In a way, though, you've already gained. You have a story to tell your grandkids about how you had a well-paying job as a temp at Microsoft, but walked away on principle when they used your temp status to require you to take a pay cut (possibly adding, "I ate ramen for the next 7 months, and was glad to do it, because sometimes sacrifices are necessary when taking a tough stand"). And unlike thousands of others who clicked Agree, you don't yet know your "price" (ie, the one for which your principles can be bought) other than "it's somewhere above what they offered."
If any of you are going to go it on your own, you have a great story to tell clients about how seriously you take signed contracts and don't believe in taking advantage of the other party by exploiting technicalities in the letter--as opposed to the spirit--of those agreements.
Signed, one of the probably 5 people recently laid off from Microsoft who did not sign the severance agreement they offered, also on principle. From what I've heard on the street, most people's "deals" more closely matched what they were giving up in career opportunity and as yet unvested stock than mine did, due to the formula used to compute the numbers. I didn't feel right about taking the crumbs dropped from the table after giving the company the best N years of work in my life, even if crumbs was the best I could hope for in an at-will situation.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 5:23 a.m.
Corporate America believes slavery is the best business model, and that's what they really want. They already have slavery in workplaces in China, where they've outsourced millions of American jobs.
God bless those 66 workers for having the self-respect to stand up for their rights, and not just cave in to being treated like slaves by Microsoft and Volt.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 5:35 a.m.
I worked for Volt (briefly, thank goodness) between real jobs years ago. I thought they demeaned people and treated them disrespectfully, probably to psych them into believing they weren't deserving of decent pay rates. The job assignments were pretty crappy too.
There actually are some reasonably good temp agencies out there, who treat people right and try to get them good job assignments with fair pay. They're worth looking for; I've had good luck with Adecco.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 6:29 a.m.
A contract is a contract. If MS will not live up to what they agreed to they should be sued. When the contract is up that is the time to negogiate a new rate. MS is famous for skirting the laws and for treating its temp employees as dirt. There have been several lawsuits in the past that MS lost. I suspect these employees refusing to work for less then their contract says already know where to find another job or do not care.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 6:36 a.m.
I'd take the 10% cut and be 20% less productive! I'm sure this pay cut is going to cost Microsoft in the long run one way or another. I wonder who is the brilliant manager who forgot to think of lower employee morale and productivity, bad publicity, lawsuits etc? Will she be running for Congress?

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 7:46 a.m.
I'm not participating in the recession. A contract is a contract. They can take the chance of being downsized (there's a word for you) and that is their right. It's time we stopped feeling sorry for them. We are adults not kids. Take responsibility for what you do and let the other person figure it out if they can. Remember that 90% of the workforce is still out there working. Stop listening to the news people.

---

Posted by MinusTwenty at 3/12/09 8:03 a.m.
And just you wait until the next news report informing us that "Microsoft, claiming a shortage of skilled labor, again lobbied Congress for an increase in the annual quota of allotted H1-B work visas it is given"
This is all about class warfare. Microsoft is just trying to attack its workers wages. Even in a recession - where are the executive pay cuts? Has there been a SINGLE executive pay cut at Microsoft? NO. But they feel free to try to re-write contracts mid-stream.
What a terrible company!

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 8:08 a.m.
My daughter, a contract worker at Microsoft is now making less than $15.00 per hour with the 10% cut. No insurance either. Can you live on that? Has the leadership of Microsoft modeled the practice of pay-cuts?

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 8:12 a.m.
Volt takes a HUGE cut off the top of the contractor's pay and pays well under what other companies will. My company refuses to use Volt for this reason. Contractors have little negotiation or power when they apply for positions through Volt. You can only work at Microsoft for one year as a contractor then you have to leave and wait ninety days before you can return. You can apply for unemployment during the ninety day break.

---

Posted by KevinMc at 3/12/09 8:15 a.m.
I think we're really dancing around the issues here (though some of us are making excellent points). Over the years, labor law has eroded to the point that workers have very few rights. Government officials are benefiting from corporations when as they (gov. officials) continue to erode and allow the erosion of workers rights. In the end, we went through the whole Perma-Temp thing with MS over 10 years ago. Now, we have contracts that MS negotiated with VOLT and other agencies and thus with employees. A contract is a contract - it is a legal promise with obligations on BOTH sides. It is wrong for MS to forcibly renegotiate those arrangements. This would not be allowed if labor law once again had teeth. Additionally, MS is NOT hurting for cash. They are NOT asking all of the FTEs to take pay cuts, why the contractors. Contractors beware, do you want to be a slave of MS for the rest of your days? Stand up for what SHOULD be your rights!!

---

Posted by HDLife at 3/12/09 8:25 a.m.
MSFT contracts with the Temp Agency. The Temp agency contracts with the individual. As I understand it, both contracts contain clauses that allow for any changes to be attached at any time by MSFT or by the Temp Agency. But not for the individual.
The contract gives a legal out for both the major players to do as they please. It is a contract that is either agreed to by the individual or else no position, so the individual cannot say anything about it. But I feel that such a clause could be contested and possibly removed. Owing to the fact that it is a one way clause that puts the individual at risk for anything that either major players would want to do.
If you look at those credit card "fine prints" in pastel almost unreadable 'contracts', it is worded differently, but the same result. They can make any changes in your contract that they choose to make, and they do, and you do not have any say in the matter at all.
Face it, we, the "individual" are at risk to those major players on every field. Those who say, "be glad that you still have a job and shut up", well all I can say is that at some point you simply must choose not to "shut up", and take a stand. Sure it may cost you your position, and it is something that these '66' do have to consider for each on their own. All those temps have to, and some weighed in by simply accepting based upon their individual needs. I can support both those sides, but those who would sit on the outside and tell the ones taking a stand to shut up.
I don't know what their salaries are. Some here have said as much as $70/hr. and others about $30/hr. But it doesn't matter what range the temps salaries are in, what matters is that the contract puts them in a bad position no matter what. Today it's demanded a 10% cut, next month, two months, whatever, it could be another 10% cut or maybe more...where does the line get drawn?
I have worked temp, and I know that the agencies are screwed up...mostly. That if you give them any lip, they either drop you entirely or else push you way down on their list to contact for openings. But it is also a fact that most employers are now going through these temp agencies to hire. That way the contracting employer does not have to concern themselves with providing anything but employment with not having to provide any benefits. They get the work done on the cheap increasing their profits, but little to no deductibles. Are there good temp agencies out there? Yeah, but even some of the good ones have people in charge who should be in charge of anything except to clean toilets.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 8:28 a.m.
I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but it appears that most of the people who are responding really have no clue about working as a contractor.
In general the money is good, but in general most of us have no benefits (no health care unless we pay for it, no paid sick leave, no paid holidays and no paid vacation). For most employees this means that your employer is paying you for at least 240 hours each year that you didn't actually work. Most contractors forgo vacation, NEVER get sick, and are NOT allowed to work on holidays.
In addition to that, MS contractors (at least the a-) are required to leave MS for a minimum of 100 days after working for 1 year. Most of you should be able to figure out that $35 per hour isn't nearly as high as you think it is.
Many of the people who refused to sign were likely nearing the end of their contract and didn't like being forced to take a contract change. They are starting their 100 days off a few weeks early.
Many contract companies (including Volt) do very little for their employees (contractors) after a job starts. If you are lucky, you will hear from a rep every three months. Their primary expense is the sales people who work with us to locate a position. They are in business to make money but with only a 30-35% markup, how are they to survive (did I really say that).
In this case($35) cut the contractor rate by $3.50 while Volt's cut is approximately $1.20.
{End of Ranting}

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 8:39 a.m.
I have chuckled and cringed at the lack of understanding of contract knowledge of those posting these comments. This is not a renegotiation process, this is a contract termination and new negotiation at a lower rate. They may process through an amendment (quicker and easier) but the truth is - MS is terminating all contracts with their Temp Agencies and re-instituting new contracts at lower rates.
All of these contracts have termination clauses and the temp agencies and MS are exercising them. As for those out their that are throwing the blame at MS - focus people. MS is cutting costs by reducing rates with their Temp Agencies - not with their Temp Workers. The Temp Agencies are reducing rates with the workers. If you want to get angry - get angry at Volt and others.
MS may have billions. It is their billions and it is their job to spend it wisely so shareholders - like many of you and myself - continue to see market gains. (For those of you saying you don't own an MS stock, you might want to look at the Mutual Funds you own as the majority out their own MS stock.
These 66 people may be making a stand and they should get used to it. As they will be standing in the unemployment line for quite a while.

---

Posted by proudtobealiberal at 3/12/09 8:53 a.m.
No sympathy from me - - they can just move back to Mum-Bay or Bangalore or wherever they call home.
The H1B program is just a small part of what has wrecked this country's economy. Big businesses say they're for capitalism and free enterprise and competition, but they begin to act like monopolists and kleptocrats first chance they get.
Always been that way, always will.
I don't recall reading anywhere that Bill and/or Steve have had their pay cut by 10 percent, or 1 percent, or anything at all. They're probably on the receiving end of huge bonuses for "cutting costs" by short-changing their perma-temps.
Business as usual in the land of Unregulated Laissez Faire Capitalism.

---

Posted by Ocerith at 3/12/09 9:00 a.m.
"You should know that no one has had a 100% mark up on tech staffing since Y2k scared the crap out of companies."
"To even think a company like Volt (or any of the others) is marking up a rate by 100% to MSFT and pocketing the difference is assinine."
Actually, to think that any contracting company DOESN'T markup AT LEAST 100% is asinine. Despite your ridicule of one poster, you clearly haven't worked a contract job yourself, or are completely blind to the realities of contract work.
Trust me, I know exactly what the hourly rate the contractor gets compared to the bill rate is across tech companies. The margins vary individually but they are all staggering. Think 150% - 200% markup range. That's right, if you're making $50 an hour, your agency is billing $150 an hour. People think "contractors are cheap," but they're not. There's another reason why contract labor is considered cheap in a quarterly numbers mentality. It's a different bucket of money and it comes off the books when you need it to. The actual bill rates, meanwhile, can exceed the bill rate of a permanent employee.
These are just the plain, simple facts from an outside observer with no interest in either party.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 9:19 a.m.
that stupid CEO is running the business into the ground - he has no vision and has done nothing useful since taking over - if it was any other company, it would have been game over for him long ago.

---

Posted by Nebula36 at 3/12/09 9:30 a.m.
I'm not a big fan of unions, in fact I think it's ridiculous what some union workers in Detroit are being paid.
However, it's perplexing to me that many temp jobs that I worked at in the mid-1990's are still being offered at the same or lower pay rates. The temp agencies seem to be exploiting the workers even more than the large employers.
These guys getting $35 per hour aren't starving, but the principle of being jerked around by your temp agency that bugs me. Especially when companies like Microsoft are so dependent on them.
Temp agencies deserve nothing.
I also think it's bizarre that so many retail and food service jobs still pay so little. Things have barely changed in almost 20 years, yet rental, food, and gas costs have increased quite a bit. It's almost impossible to work at one (or two) of those jobs and go to school to improve your opportunities at the same time.
THOSE are the people who need to unionize and agitate for better wages.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 9:36 a.m.
What others don't seem to understand that a Contract is a written agreement agreed to by all parties. The wages should stay the same until the contract term is up. I would not only disagree to take the pay cut, I would sue the temp agency (whoever they are)for breach of contract, then sue for damages. When the worker signed up for the position based on pay and length of assignment it was a written agreement. Let's not let Corporate America break the rules ! Stand up and fight ! (if there is language in the contract for a pay cut then you signed the wrong piece of paper). I am not litigious I just believe in fairness to the little guy. Microsoft has how many billions in cash ?

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 9:57 a.m.
The Volt Contract also says that either side can terminate the employment at will, for any reason. refusing to sign the addendum is their choice, but Volt would be with in their rights per the contract to terminate the contract. If you are working at MS and signed that contract, then you should be aware of that. At least that is what MY contract said.
That doesn't make it morally right for Volt to do that, but they are legally able to.

---

Posted by TricycleDriver at 3/12/09 10:13 a.m.
there's something funny about this article...(I've been a v- and a-)
The wage contract is not between Microsoft and the worker. Any contract agreed between Microsoft and Volt have been made. It's between Volt and the Worker to negotiate what they're going to get. I use to make $70000 for a 1-year-only term, Microsoft paid 100,000 Volt ( I got buddy-buddy with the manager and he told me.)
I don't love Microsoft, but most of the Microsoft basher who have posted are ill-informed. billG has retired. Microsft should not have even been mentioned in this article.

---

Posted by XXXmsft at 3/12/09 10:20 a.m.
I guess not everybody can be a math major, English major, or heck, even graduate from college. But reading some of the responses here is like listening to "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits. I contracted for 3 years at Microsoft before and after working ten plus years as a full time Microsoft full time employee. I work now outside of Microsoft and can walk to the main campus from my present employer. That's as close as I need to get. Take a look at the $35 an hour contract rate. For Microsoft contractors that is for 52 weeks of employment followed by about 15 weeks of unemployment (100 day break). So that 70,000 + a year (52 weeks/ 2080 work hours at 35 an hour) really works out to an average of $26 an hour for 67 weeks. Sure, you can collect a fraction of your salary through unemployment insurance for that 100 days, which will be eaten up by your COBRA payments to extend your medical insurance at full cost. The agencies count on that, because they are worthless when it comes to finding employment for that 100 days. Your current MSFT agency doesn't want to jeopardize having you available for MSFT asap after your 100 day break. Outside of MSFT, other agencies and other companies do not want to hire you for less than 90 days because they know you'll bolt for MSFT as soon as you are available again.
In the Silicon Valley, contractors have more choices and competition for their services, so no company down there can control the prevailing contracting rates like Microsoft does up there.
Contract workers at Microsoft have little choice but to take what is offered. Many contractors would love to work full time at Microsoft, even with the lower salary they'd receive, because of the benefits. The medical insurance offered by Volt and other agencies does not begin to compare with the cost to the employee and the services covered that Microsoft and other employers offer their full time employees. My family's medical bills just since January would have eaten up half a year's wages if I was still contracting.
For those who keep harking about contracts being a ironclad agreement. This is an employment at will state. Either side can terminate the agreement at any time. A contract simply means that you and the agency have an agreement about the expected length and pay of the contract. It is not a guarantee that you will work the full term of the contract. It is also not a guarantee that you will receive that rate for the term of the contract. It is unfortunately designed for the benefit of the agency and client, not the contracting employee.
Last, but not least, it is probably better for all of us that more people are employed, albeit with a reduction in pay, than have more people unemployed for the benefit of maintaining a full salary for the people still employed. For most contract workers, there is no side work or contract work available---we're in a downward spiral, remember? If Microsoft is "making money hand over fist" and they are taking measures, you think the companies that are losing money right now are going to be hiring? They'll be more severe than Microsoft. Give Microsoft some credit; they could have just said we'll eliminate 10% of their contracting work force. They did outright eliminate several thousand full time positions. Those employees do receive generous severance packages. A laid off contractor worker gets none. Your job is done. Today. Get your stuff together, give us your badge, and we'll escort you to the door.

---

Posted by unregistered user at 3/12/09 10:21 a.m.
I'm not too well-versed in how this contract game plays out but why do the workers have to take the 10 percent pay cut? Couldn't the agency suck that up? It seems to me as though what the tech workers are offering is more important than some recruiter sitting on their fat lazy butt all day matching resumes with the job opening. I don't have much respect for these agencies nor do I care for the vultures who make these hiring decisions.

---

Posted by XXXmsft at 3/12/09 10:45 a.m.
The 10% cut is what Microsoft has asked of the agencies on their total billing. I really don't know exactly what the agency bills in comparison to what they pay the contract workers. But say Volt bills $70 an hour for a tester, and then in turn pays that tester $35 an hour. If Volt has to cut their billings by 10%, that means they now bill MSFT $63 an hour and the tester gets $31.50 an hour. Microsoft scrutinizes their vendor's very well, and expect them to provide the most for the least. Whatever margin MSFT allows Volt in this, nobody at Volt is making truckloads of money. Volt is not passing their entire 10% reduction on to the contract workers. If they did, the actual reduction in pay for the contract workers would be more like 20%. There's a lot of competition between contract agencies to fill the job reqs that MSFT puts out, so no agency can afford to price themselves out of the market with a billng rate that is higher than their competitor's.

---

Posted by vicious_cycle_00 at 3/12/09 11:16 a.m.
WOW - where to start...
First, some people seem to think that 'a contract is a contract' - which for temp worker is true, EXCEPT the fact that from my personal experience in contract work (5 years), in every contract I've ever signed, it is WRITTEN IN THE CONTRACT THAT THE COMPANY BEING WORKED FOR OR THE TEMP AGENCY CAN TERMINATE THE CONTRACT AT ANY TIME - no reason required. It seems that that is what MS is doing - terminating all the contracts, and giving the terminated employee an option to resign a new contract at a lower wage. Those that refuse to sign, well, that is their personal choice. But their original contract would be void, so they essentially would lose their job. I don't think taking this issue to court would go very far just from the fact that this 'out' clause is just as legally binding as the rest of the language on the contract. I know Volt has this clause in their contracts - so does Techlink NW - so does Proactive Staffing - and on and on.
Second, i think that it is commendable that MS is trying to cut costs by reducing WAGES instead of STAFF. Do you think those laid off in the auto industry had the option of taking less pay? How about the millions of other people who have lost their jobs in the last 6 months? Do you think any of those companies offered reduced pay instead of termination? Ask some recently laid off people, and I bet that 2 out of 3 would have rather taken a 10% cut than being laid off. I commend the ones trying to fight this fight - but as someone else posted, you need to pick your battles wisely, and this is a battle that they will probable lose.

---

Posted by Wangster at 3/12/09 11:17 a.m.
Volt needs to honor its contracts.
btw, with unemployment, the only "causes" that can disqualify you is misconduct such as violence or threats, with burden of proof on the employer. Incompetance gets you unemployment benefits, as well as dismisal for policy breaches, even telling your boss to "go to hell, of f___ off" as long a no threats of violence are made.
Now I have an estimated 9 month take home pay in assets, most of that cash, and now with extended benefits a person can work part time enough to stretch their unemployment out for 2 full years. I could weather out a long storm.
A contact worker can easily get a few letters of recommendation from Microsoft colleagues and move on. I have always written letters of recommendation for good working colleagues who were laid off. Microsoft and Volt are just seeing who will blink and fold their cards, and its always people who have poorly mismanaged their own money. If over half the people refuse to sign the amendments, it will probably cost both companies much more money to replace the people lost or to make up for what they lose than they would have saved.
And last of all, computer professional are probably the most likely people to still be able to get jobs today, even with all of the layoffs. It would be interesting to see how many of these contract workers can get new jobs lined up before any supposed deadlines to sign the amendment. Hell, that would be the best of both worlds, have a job lined up to start in a month, and get laid off and collect unemployment for a month and take a "paid break".

Hide All Comments