Governor Whitmer's Veto of the Call Center Jobs Retention Act Is a Missed Opportunity for Michigan Workers

Lansing, Mich. – The Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 4 expresses its profound disappointment in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to veto the Call Center Jobs Retention Act. This legislation, which we, our members, and our amazing activists have been fighting to pass for nearly a decade, was designed to go beyond mere notification requirements and hold corporations accountable for offshoring good-paying call center jobs that Michigan workers, their families, and the communities they live in depend on.

The Governor’s veto message cited the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act as a reason for her decision, asserting that the existing federal law already addresses the issues this legislation sought to resolve. However, this assertion is both inaccurate and misguided. The WARN Act of 1988 mandates advance notification of closures but does nothing to prevent offshoring or holding companies accountable for relocating jobs overseas. While companies may comply with WARN by notifying workers of impending layoffs, they are under no obligation to reconsider their decision or face any meaningful penalties for eliminating jobs that sustain Michigan communities.

“We are deeply disappointed by Governor Whitmer’s veto of this critical legislation,” said CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. Hinton. “The WARN Act is over 35 years old, and it has had no impact on stopping the closure of more than 50 AT&T call centers since its enactment, including Michigan centers in Detroit, Lansing, Flint, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, and others. Companies have no problem giving notification that they are closing centers; what they take issue with is a registry that tracks their offshoring and holds them accountable for those actions through the loss of taxpayer-funded loans and grants. The Michigan Call Center Jobs Retention Act was a necessary step to establish transparency and accountability. We remain steadfast in our fight to pass this bill in Michigan, throughout District 4, and across the country to ensure the protection of call center workers and the preservation of good American jobs."

By vetoing this legislation, Governor Whitmer, long a friend to Michigan workers, has unfortunately sided with multinational corporations over Michigan’s working families. This veto represents a missed opportunity to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of Michigan workers and their communities. Offshoring call center jobs doesn’t just devastate families; it also erodes the tax base that supports essential public services across the state.

The Call Center Jobs Retention Act passed with bipartisan support, reflecting widespread recognition of the need to address this issue. Michigan workers deserve a government that stands up for their interests and ensures that taxpayer-funded incentives benefit the communities they are meant to serve, not line the pockets of CEOs who send jobs overseas.

CWA District 4 remains committed to this fight. We will continue advocating for policies that protect call center jobs, support Michigan’s working families, and promote economic justice. The fight to protect American jobs is far from over, and we call on lawmakers and citizens alike to join us in holding corporations accountable and bringing this critical legislation back to the table.

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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

cwa-union.org @cwaunion