Stop Off-Shoring Call Center Jobs

The NYS AFL-CIO has long supported legislation to stop corporations from relocating good jobs out of state. This year we are prioritizing (S1826A/A567A) the New York Call Center Jobs Act, to prevent the ongoing outsourcing of jobs from New York State to other locations. 

The outsourcing of call center operations has caused a massive loss of jobs and has had a profound negative impact on the state economy. The transfer of these services has meant delays and deteriorating services for consumers in virtually every sector of the economy, but in particular, assistance for public utilities customers have been hit hard. 

This bill will require the Department of Labor to establish and make public a list of all larger scale call center employers that outsource 30% or more of the total call volume. The bill creates penalties for employers that fail to report outsourcing to the DOL and make those that do, ineligible for state grants, guaranteed loans and tax benefits, except if the relocation's were caused by national security, substantial job loss or environmental damage.

This bill proposes a reasonable and rational approach to ensuring continuity of call center services that are vital to public safety, such as emergency telecom, energy and other important utility services. The bill will protect jobs and help prioritize the state’s economic development programs to help businesses that keep their call center operations in New York State.  

Mario Cilento, President