Washtech Seeks Investigation of IT Job Shifting

Microsoft's move to shift even more U.S. technology job overseas – as reported in the Feb. 3, 2002, issue of Business Week - is a serious threat to the job security and wages of America's Internet Technology workforce, the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers/CWA charged.

The business news magazine cited Microsoft's outsourcing to China and India, its establishment of research centers in both countries, and similar moves by numerous tech and information companies to transfer U.S. work overseas.

Washtech/CWA Local 37083, also pointed out that Microsoft has been systematically hiring foreign contractors to shift production of its tech products from Redmond, Wash., to India.

Microsoft's plan, outlined by a senior vice president last July, called for the company to begin realigning its workforce to utilized Indian contractors. At a briefing, the official told managers the company could get "quality work at 50 to 60 percent of the cost. That's two heads for the price of one." Managers were urged to "pick a project and outsource today," Washtech reported.

Washtech is calling for an extensive congressional investigation into the off -shoring practices of companies like Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Dell and others to determine the impact this trend will have on the future of IT workers.

For information and reports on IT outsourcing, go to www.washtech.org or www.techsunite.org.