The suits, according to the newspaper, relate to workers largely employed in IBM's semiconductor and disk drive manufacturing processes, both of which involve the use of chemicals.
The claimants say that they have evidence that shows that these employees have an increased risk of breast cancer, brain tumours and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. They also say that IBM was aware of the risk, but did not tell its employees.
IBM flatly denied the claims, telling the New York Times they had no scientific basis. In a work force as large as IBM's, it argued, many workers will die from many different illnesses, including cancer.
The first four cases are due to begin trial next month.