Phil Palios confirmed Friday that he is backing out of his labor crusade against Microsoft Corp.
The Microsoft temporary worker, who generated tons of publicity for leading pay-cut protests against the Redmond-based tech giant on a busy Overlake corner of Microsoft’s sprawling campus, is now changing his stance.
“I think I let my emotions take over,” said Palios, who grew up in Redmond and graduated from Redmond High in 2003. “I wasn’t very objective. I think it would have been better not to make such a big deal out of it.”
Earlier this month, Microsoft told its third-party, temporary staffing agencies that it would cut bill rates by 10 percent in an effort to slash spending, according to Microsoft spokesperson Lou Gellos.
Some of the temporary staffing agencies are absorbing the cutback internally. While others, including Volt Services Group — the one that placed Palios — told employees that they will need to agree to wage cuts of up to 10 percent or lose their jobs. Volt sent out a letter to all of its temporary Microsoft workers last week and announced that they have agree to a 10 percent pay cut and sign an amended contract by March 13.
In an interview with the Reporter on Tuesday, Palios said, “I don’t think it was fair. I’m not going to accept the pay cut from them.”
Two days later, he accepted the 10 percent pay cut and signed the amended contract with Volt, he confirmed on Friday.
Palios, 23, who is serving his third assignment as a software design engineer in Test at Microsoft, sent out a letter to more than 2,000 temporary Microsoft workers last week, calling for action. He asked everybody to join in a nightly protest on the corner of 156th Northeast Avenue and Northeast 40th Street “for the next two weeks,” in an effort to let Microsoft know how they feel.
“The goal was to open up communiction between Microsoft and its workers,” Palios said.
On Monday, Palio generated lots of media hype and had about 20 other protesters on hand. On Tuesday night, the numbers dwindled, but the die-hard protesters braved the wind and rain. He said that night he hoped more people would join the fight. However, Palios backed out and confirmed on Friday that Tuesday night was the last time he went to that busy corner to protest.
Palios, who has two months left on his current contract with Volt, sent out a long letter late Thursday night to “members of the press and concerned parties” explaining his sudden change of mind.
“As I became an important figure in this issue I quickly saw myself becoming more of a labor organizer and having less focus on software development. After my emotions calmed down and I had more time to think, I realized I had begun walking down a path that was not helping me achieve my goals in life. …” Palios wrote. “I am lucky to be in my current situation, even with a pay cut.”
