I know this subject isn't necessarily about layoffs, but it definitely affects morale. Here are my thoughts...
I came up through CellularOne, then AT&T Wireless, then Cingular, then AT&T again. When SBC came along in 2006, they brought along this thing called Contingency Planning. It was explained to me that in the event of a strike of the union labor force, regular desk jockeys would head to the field and repair and maintain the phone network. I was like, WTF? Many of the IT types don't even know how to operate a sc--wdriver. But that's right, they will train them (us) to do the job. So, off many of us went for training. (BTW, it was the only business travel I had in decades. At least I got some In-N-Out on the company dime.) We learned how to climb ladders and poles, and some necessary skills for the role. We then retreated back to our offices to quickly forget what we learned. The process would continue until the next contract expired.
Do they really expect that this contingent workforce would be effective in the field? How many millions of dollars are spent, and for what exactly? A threat to the union workers? And another thing when it comes to recruiting talent: How long into the interview do they mention that periodically they will need to train for contingent work and possibly be sent to fix phone lines? I'm guessing that most degreed professionals would balk at the notion.