<p>An agreement between IBM and the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany that appears to have protected hundreds of upstate workers during IBM's most recent round of job cuts was signed last summer, raising questions about whether its release in February was motivated by politics.</p><p>The deal, which essentially protects 3,100 high-tech jobs at IBM's most cutting-edge semiconductor operations in the state, was announced last month by Gov. Andrew Cuomo just as IBM workers in the Hudson Valley were bracing themselves for another round of layoffs.</p><p>Without specifically saying it, the Cuomo administration has been taking credit in recent weeks for essentially saving hundreds of IBM jobs in New York as governors in other states like Vermont, North Carolina and Minnesota sat seemingly powerless to stop the layoffs. Cuomo announced the deal on Feb. 24, just days before IBM was expected to start laying off U.S. workers.</p><p>The preservation of IBM jobs is great news to Republican Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor, whose Dutchess County district includes thousands of people who make their living off IBM.</p><p><a href="http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Strange-timing-on-IBM-jobs-pact-5312648.php">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2014/mar/13/documents-state-ibm-jobs-agreement-forged-2013-not/">Documents: State-IBM jobs agreement forged in 2013, not 2014</a> (Schenectady Gazette)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dzrqqvFA51TThiM5Dg0QXj0IAiIBM&authuser=0&ned=us">4 additional articles.</a></p>