What can we as individuals do to fight job outsourcing?

[TNDemo]

I am glad to see it getting a lot of air play lately (mostly thanks to Lou Dobbs) but it still leaves me confused as to what I ought to do on an individual basis. I know to boycott companies that are known to be doing it. I try to buy locally but that has gotten almost impossible. So what else can I do?

[meti57b]

1. good question ....

Trying to only purchase goods that are made inside the US isn't easy, as it seems hardly anything is, anymore. Definitely stay away from walmart.

When I telephone a business, I ask the person where he/she is located and one or two other questions to attempt to determine where they are physically located. I'm sure this probably doesn't contribute much to stopping outsourcing and in addition, I read that the folks in India use names that would lead us to believe they are inside the US, in addition to having ready an answer to what state and city they are physically located in. But it makes me feel like I am doing something.

[Bhaisahab]

4. I work in the Outsourcing industry in India

and you're right. Agents here are taught to take on an American name and once you tell them which city you are from, they will even discuss the weather over there, thanks to technology.
But sometimes Agents here break down and recount how some American clients hurl racist abuse at them as soon as they realize the agent is indian. its really sad-- either way.

[Skittles]

5. I'm sorry for that

I absolutely have nothing against the Indian folk I have to deal with at work (some of our work is outsourced). You are correct - those people hurling abuse ARE racists. I understand that people in India want the same thing Americans want - to make a living. What I despise is American companies exploiting other nations.

[Fescue4u]

23. Interesting.

Deception is ok "American name, weather etc", but getting angry at being deceived is not.

Frankly Im sick of dealing with Indian call centers who frequently don't know their ass from a hole in ground.

[bleedingheart]

2. I am not sure.

[jean]

3. write and call your state legislators

and complain loudly about the tax breaks being given companies that outsource.

[NJCher]

6. customer service calls

On any customer service call I ask where the person is located. When I find out it's not America, I file two separate complaints with the company. The first complains about the service. The second complains about the outsourcing. One I write under my own name and the other under my husband's. My words accurately represent his feelings, so no misrepresentation whatsoever.



Cher

[YNGW]

7. Not A Lot.

Unskilled labor jobs are going overseas where labor is cheaper. The manufacturing jobs that have been lost in my state of NC (for example) are gone. Adios. They aren't coming back. This is a global economy and workers can no longer depend upon getting out of high school and working at the plant like mom and daddy did and their grandparents before them, etc...

All this talk of taxes for those who outsource and boycotts and buying American might be something you individually can do to make yourself feel better, but the overwhelming majority of Americans aren't going to participate. They want the best price for their dollar and anything the government does to raise the price of goods coming from overseas (taxes, tariffs, etc...) hurt the poor and middle class the worst.

The modern day young student better bust his/her butt in school, make good grades, obtain an academic scholorship for college and be ready to enter a phase in our country where the USA is the technology developer for the world and the rest of the world is the manufacturing base, because that's the way it's trending.

[Liberal Veteran]

8. Well, it's not just unskilled labor.

Tech jobs have been leaving this country at a record pace. I have a degree in computer science and several technical certifications and lost my job to India because they wage scale is so different there. I suppose if I could actually live off 2-3 bucks an hour, I might be willing to accept that kind of wage also, but I simply can't.

Even a lot software and development is now being outsourced to India. So your advice on that isn't great either. Basically if you want to have a job the best advice to college students is to pick a field that will be extremely difficult to outsource such as auto mechanic, doctor, lawyer, or something that requires a person actually be present to do the job. If the product can be made and shipped to the US or the service can be handled over the phone or telecommuted, then your job is not safe.

[YNGW]

11. Reply

Ooops! I forgot on this board you got to quantify everything.

The majority of jobs that have left are unskilled. Yes, some skilled will go, too.

Regardless, the fact is they aren't coming back. You'll need to find a new way to use you skills and talents. I was in the same boat a few years ago when banks started gobbling each other up and people were displaced. I started my own business and couldn't be happier. It's just a matter of keeping your eyes and ears open.

Good Luck.

[kcwayne]

9. But the US is quickly NOT becoming the technology producer for the world

If you sell a piece of technology in China, they will copy it and cut you out of the opportunity. They simply do not respect patent law.

Every major technology company is moving its engineering and software development overseas. Every pharmaceutical company is setting up research and manufacturing operations in cheap labor countries.

The list is endless. Technology and NAFTA/WTO have collided to remove all barriers from corporations from moving their means of research, engineering, and manufacturing to lower cost labor forces.

The only opportunities in the US are those that require face to face interaction, such as direct medical care and sales. When my daughter is ready for college in 5 years, I will guide her away from anything that can be done overseas. If she wants to be a doctor or a sales person, college might be worth the expense. There isn't much else besides food service or retail, and wasting $150-$200 grand on college to end up with a $15,000 a year job doesn't make sense. You can read alot of classic books in the library for free (at least as long as the economy is stable and they have not filled the libraries up with religion books) if the only prospect you have is to use your degree to operate a cash register.

[YNGW]

12. Reply

I disagree completely. But the point is, the cat's outta the bag.

[kcwayne]

14. Disagree on the basis of what?

That high tech jobs are not being exported? The data are out there if you are paying attention.

I work for a technology company, at least for the next couple of months. Right now they are holding their yearly Entrepreneurs meeting in .... China. Because that is where the center of mass of the industry is (consumer electronics).

They have already moved all production and most of the engineering over there. The vision is to keep the US as a sales and marketing arm for products that are designed and built in China.

This is one story. I have been in this business for 25 years, and I do not have a single acquintance from all that time that is not personally experiencing this. Everyday you read in the news about another company doing this. Siemens announced just today that they are moving 15,000 engineering and software development jobs to India.

The move is occurring for the same reason that the move occurred for "unskilled" labor that you write off. It can be done for far less money over there, and there are no legal or technical barriers from keeping the economic incentive from making it the prudent business move. Its hasta la vista baby.

[Liberal Veteran]

16. I was sort of wondering that myself...

What is there to disagree with? Tens of thousands of people with college degrees have lost their jobs to India before they could even pay off the student loans they took in order to earn that degree. Being a tech myself and knowing far too many techs like myself who have found themselves going back to school at 35-45 to learn a new skilled trade at the age when we are supposed to be raising our families, settling our debts, and saving for retirement just sucks. If anyone believes that it's just "unskilled" labor that is moving overseas at a record clip, they are fooling themselves completely, because it's all kinds of things.

So I too wonder what the poster found to disagree with.

[YNGW]

19. Reply

In answer to your inquiries, I disagree with those who say that the USA is not becoming the technology producer for the world. I know better.

The point is, the cat's outta the bag and these jobs are not returning to the USA, and there's little if anything the government can do about it that won't hurt the economy. It's a new world. And in 50-100 years (if not sooner) it'll be something else. Survival of the fittest may have expanded in definition over the past few years but it nevertheless remains the norm. It's not a matter of liking it or not, it's a matter of adjusting to the new climate.

I'm done on this thread. For those who feel like they need to get in the last word because it somehow makes them feel like they've won, here's your chance.

[kcwayne]

20. Dodging out without leaving any substance

I know better

Wow, that is illuminating. Brilliant. Obviously you win the argument hands down because how could mere mortals use direct evidence and question what you seem to know but haven't even put forward one word of thought of what it is you do know? Touche.

If there is nothing the government can do that won't hurt the economy, what have we got to lose? The economy is hurting and will continue to dislocate for everyone whose skills and talents are/were centered around providing service and products to people that make more than the subsistence level wages of slave labor countries.

Of course, right now there is a goldmine for those entrepreneurs that can help US corporations escape the wage base, liability, and environment controls of operating in the US. Perhaps that is where you are operating.

But in the long term, how many SUV's is Ford going to sell to Chinese workers that make $100 a month?

Yeah, we should adjust to the reality. Just like the slaves of this country were told to adjust to the reality of the British Empire and the economic reality of running a plantation in the Americas.

[idlisambar]

21. operating under a misconception

The modern day young student better bust his/her butt in school, make good grades, obtain an academic scholorship for college and be ready to enter a phase in our country where the USA is the technology developer for the world and the rest of the world is the manufacturing base, because that's the way it's trending.

Outsourcing means that India (and China, and Russia, etc.) will be the technology developer of the world. There are 10 Indian engineering students for every 1 American. Even now, most of the software developers in this country are foreign born. Given this reality, if you can give one good reason for your faith that the US will continue to be a technology center in the long term, let me know.

As for kids working harder in school -- that's not enough anymore. The kid should make sure the career he/she wants is not vulnerable to outsourcing.

[bleedingheart]

10. Outsourcing is meant to drive American wages lower but it will

have a nasty backlash... people who borrowed and spent in the 1990's still have a load of debt...working for less means they will spend less...its a vicious cycle.

[moondust]

13. Activism?

I'm not advocating anything but...I'm a little surprised that somebody hasn't tried disrupting the shipping routes of hard goods and/or data from third world sweat shops to the U.S. using Greenpeace style tactics. Maybe they have and it isn't being reported??

[cryofan]

15. Activism is definitely the way to go. Try Freeway blogging

You can go to some busy commuter roads (a freeway may not be the best place), and put up little signs with slogans like "STOP OUTSOURCING".

Little by little, we can make our points.

[Gin]

17. maybe since the Chinese copy and then claim the rights...they will

also..claim the companies who have established business there. Since the building and the equipment is on their soil...it's possible.

We not only send the jobs but we sell the equipment so..the only thing not there is the corporate HQ.

When the corporations doing outsourcing feel the pinch in the pocketbook...they will change..until then...don't shop walmart...and buy what is needed.

We as shoppers are keeping this economy afloat...we have the power.

[silverlib]

18. It's difficult, but I am doing everything I can...

and it isn't much.

Here's a copy of a letter I sent to Lillian Vernon...

"I have just unsubscribed from you notification E-mail list and felt it was important that you know why I did this. I have just recently been introduced to your catalog and find your products interesting and diversified. However, America is in an economic turmoil right now, in part because of the outsourcing of American jobs. You are one of the many on the Lou Dobb's list of companies doing this and I find it my patriotic duty to avoid, when possible, supporting any American company that uses outsourcing. I hope that many join me, as I know that the most important thing to these companies is their bottom line for their investors. I hope I soon see "not outsourcing" as a powerful marketing tool to increase profitability and hope that Lillian Vernon's BOD will take a long hard look at the possibilities that being able to market in this way might bring to their shareholders."

Of course I had to edit this down to 250 characters to fit in their comment section- but I still think I got the point across.

Here's the response, which is ridiculous:

"Dear ****,

Thank you for your recent correspondence. We appreciate your concern and feedback.

In September, our Virginia Beach National Distribution Center and Call Center was severely impacted by Hurricane Isabel, which forced the closing of the facility for parts of three days. To prevent this from happening again, we have put into place a back-up call center far enough away so that severe weather conditions will have no impact on our day-to-day operations. The back-up call center will be operating from midnight to 7am, a traditionally difficult time to staff. It will take only a small percentage of our calls. Our Virginia Beach call center answers a majority of our calls and will continue to employ 1,100 people during the peak holiday season. The entire National Distribution Center has 3,500 people during the Christmas season. We are not laying people off. The call center will only be closed from midnight to 7am and all affected call center representatives were offered other schedules.

We hope to keep you as a happy and satisfied customer."

I now have long distance service through Working Assets. I found I couldn't localize my local service.

I can't do a lot and I understand the need for corporations to "up" their "bottom" line. I however, want companies to realize that I am not going to stand by and say nothing. I want companies to be able to advertise that they do not outsource and be able to bring up the bottom line by doing so.

Lou Dobbs is doing a great job at giving opportunities for "made in America" to have free time on his show. Merle Norman cosmetics is one of the companies recently advertise that I can support and let them know why I support them.

I am not wealthy, but I can save money by not buying needless items and pay more for the things I actually need, if necessary, to support these companies.

I think it is a worthy goal, although impossible in some areas.

People without incomes can not pay income tax. I want everyone in America to have the opportunity to support their country.

(Sorry - this turned into somewhat of an epistle.)

[proud patriot]

22. The Most Important First Step , is beating down Goliath(Walmart)

get out you slingshots(figuratively)

Write letters to the editor ,
Contact Your local County Board of
Supervisers . Educate them on what
happens to communities after walmart
has taken over . Show them the full
circle of what walmart means to America
and how "made in America" is a LIE if
it's on a walmart shelf .

[silverlib]

24. Goliath is also on the top of my list. (eom)

It's quite a challenge to have a very long list. But, I like the challenge.

[idlisambar]

25. word of mouth

Write your congressman, talk to your friends, put on a bumper sticker, build political awareness. If you are in IT (or know someone in IT) definitely talk to your coworkers as well.

This problem needs to be dealt with in the political arena, and awareness is the biggest problem right now.

[CivilRightsNow]

26. Here are a slew of things you can do..

Call your Senators and tell them to vote for USA Jobs Protection Act of 2003 (S. 1452, H.R. 2849)
http://dodd.senate.gov/press/Speeches/108_03/0729.htm
http://www.capwiz.com/fair/issues/bills/?bill=4612681

Ask them to also vote for:
Repeal of H-1B Visas for Temporary Workers (Bill # H.R.2688)
http://www.capwiz.com/fair/issues/bills/?bill=2841666

And...
L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2003 (Bill # S.1635)
http://www.capwiz.com/fair/issues/bills/?bill=4615031

If we flood their phone lines, they will have to start listening.
I've posted this over and over and nobody seems to really give a flying duck. Work in the system instead of moaning that there is no recourse.

[mdmc]

27. LOOK FOR THE UNION LABEL

I don't mind outsourcing, I mind the abuse that goes along with it. If norml or Ben and Jerry's wanted to set up a Kenyan operation that brought fair opportunity to Kenya, I would support that. When outsourcing is done without benefit to the host country, it is criminal.

America suffers through outsourcing, but the long term effect will be a worldwide positive, if proper universal labor are enacted.

KUCINICH ____!!!!