Google, Apple and Others Accused of 'No Poaching' Deal 276
lightbox32 writes "According to the Wall Street Journal, several of the US's largest technology companies, which include Google, Apple, Intel, Adobe, Intuit and Pixar Animation, are in the final stages of negotiations with the Justice Department to avoid a court battle over whether they colluded to hold down wages by agreeing not to poach each other's employees. 'The Justice Department would have to convince a court not just that such accords existed, but that workers had suffered significant harm as a result. The companies may not want to take a chance in court. If the government wins, it could open the floodgates for private claimants, even a class action by employees. A settlement would allow the Justice Department to halt the practice, without the companies having to admit to any legal violations.'"
Re:No meaning ? (Score:3, Funny)
"OK, we agreed that I do no further murders. But what about rapes?"
"Rapes? Did you ever rape someone?"
"No, because I murdered them. Since I cannot murder them in the future, I want to rape them instead."
"Well, what do you have to offer?"
"Well, I offer to never rob a bank."
"You haven't yet robbed a bank, have you?"
"But I could start to, and then it would cost you money to catch me."
"OK, makes sense. So, you never rob a bank, and we allow for one rape per year. You have to register each rape with us, though, with full details. And of course, should you ever rob a bank, your rape license will be void, and we will prosecute you for all rapes you already did."
"Well, the conditions seem reasonable. But only one rape a year? I thought more of something like one per month."
"That's not acceptable, sorry. The absolutely most we can offer you is three rapes per year. But that's our last offer."
"I'd say we have a deal."
Re:If there's such a deal, it ain't workin' very w (Score:3, Funny)
You want evidence of collusion? Consider this:
IBM, Apple, Google, Microsoft, HP....not one of these companies has ever approached me for employment. Coincidence? It's obvious a back-room deal was struck to not put all the others at such a disadvantage if one ever decided to hire me.