The union is calling on IBM to take certain measures to avoid layoffs, such as suspending its stock buyback program, eliminating executive positions and cutting executive pay. It also wants IBM to be transparent about where any job cuts are taking place and whether they are being moved offshore.

If it does cut jobs, IBM would be only the latest of its peers in the tech industry to do so as the worldwide economic crisis continues.

Forrester Research recently predicted that global IT spending would drop slightly overall this year, but then rebound in 2010.