A profitable second quarter by IBM couldn’t save 600 workers this week, as the company laid off approximately 500 from its Vermont plant, and others at factories and plants in Endicott, N.Y.; Rochester, Minn.; Austin, Texas; and Raleigh, N.C. The company also let go approximately 35 workers in Armonk, N.Y. Another 3000 workers in Vermont will be required to take a week off without pay next month. IBM reported a loss in its microelectronics business despite having a profitable quarter. The company began the year with more than 315,000 employees worldwide.