Being that this merger means a lot of pain to it's workforce and customers, I predict that this merger will go through in all its destructive glory. It's been Staples' objective to destroy the company and screw its workforce and its customers while the few up top continue to reward themselves; why would it be any different now? They've been really successful at it and for this reason I believe they have done absolutely everything immoral to guarantee this merger's success. This has been the main focus for the last year and they sure as heck will not lose this pay day.
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Prediction: You were WRONG
Yes, we are all nothing more than an "expense" to them, not assets.
As far as commercial / SBA , I expect layoffs to occur on both sides, with the higher paid, longer term employees being let go (or forced out) first.
Basically, Sargent will use the buyout to streamline every division. He has said a combined company would move aggressively to cut over $1 billion in expenses.
While reducing redundant real estate will be some of that savings, much of it will be jobs.
Feel sorry for the ODP people if this does go through. Lived through the Corporate Express merger, being called legacy CE and hearing legacy Staples. legacy CE was just code for, "you will be terminated at some point". Saw so many CE get the shaft and laid off to start or forced out on a plan later. My old office of about 50 people, has less than 10 original CE people left. The rest were laid off, got out on their terms, or forced out on a BS PIP. That office was premerger 50 CE people.
I've been weighing the pros & cons of this and decided to root for a judgement against the merger. Granted there may be some good opportunities to be involved in the integration process but those will likely go to employees in the home offices (I work remotely). Also, speaking from experience living through the Corporate Express acquisition, I'm pretty sure this will also result in mass layoffs on both sides and a reduction in benefits, perks, & growth opportunities for those who remain. Plus we'll likely have to deal with a whole slew of new managers & salespeople from OD/OM who don't have a clue on how our systems work. This will be anything but easy.
I also dread them closing our FC and moving us to the nearest OD distribution center, thereby tripling my commute time. I only hope they have a working coffee machine there :-/
Going by the FTC's weak case and the judge's bias against government lawyers I would say the judge will rule in Staple's favor.
I am out, already screwed over by Staples, so I really do not care for myself. However, it really bothers me to see these two jackasses profit from their own poor leadership (I know Smith has only been CEO since the OM buyout, but he has still done a poor job. He has eagerly been waiting for this potential payout). They will reap huge undeserved payouts while they send tens of thousands of employees to unemployment lines in the near future.
My advice to anyone still working in either company, especially in retail, get out on your own terms soon, regardless of today's ruling. You may think that if Staples wins you will get a severance payout and then on to a new job - don't count your chickens just yet. Staples loves to use harassment and PIPs to get people out the door without severance or UI. Severance to some will be unavoidable but they will try to reduce the impact wherever possible. If you happen to fall into this boat, fight them on UI all the way. Most state labor departments know Staples' game and are ruling in favor of fired employees. The administrator I dealt with said I was railroaded after reading Staples' claims why I should be denied UI and recommended I seek out an employment attorney.
The judge is surely aware of the hemorrhaging a ruling in favor of Staples will cause, but a ruling for the FTC will only prevent mass closures and layoffs on both sides for a short period. Either way, thousands of people will be screwed while Ron and Roland get paid off and rewarded for failure.
If the buyout fails they each have healthy golden parachutes to fall back on.
If only the judge had the ability to impose conditions with a favorable ruling, minimizing the CEO payouts.