WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Bob Casey, Sherrod Brown, and Catherine Cortez Masto unveiled the United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act on Wednesday.
This legislation emerges in response to an increasing trend wherein call centers, employing over 3 million workers nationwide, move their operations overseas. Not only does this pose substantial job losses, it also leaves American consumers’ personal data in potentially unsafe hands.
Hailing from Pennsylvania, Senator Casey expressed that the bill’s primary purpose is to assure that customer service calls don’t inadvertently endanger the personal data of his constituents. Moreover, he voiced the necessity of securing jobs within our national borders, thus avoiding outsourcing.
Senator Brown of Ohio echoed these sentiments, highlighting the persistent threat of outsourcing looming over Ohio’s call center workers. He underscored the importance of consumers having a chance to support American jobs and interact with U.S.-based workers. According to him, the bill instates accountability for companies who export jobs overseas.
Nevada’s Senator Cortez Masto also showed support, stating that companies outsourcing Nevada’s jobs and risking customers’ personal data shouldn’t be rewarded. She stressed this legislation’s role in encouraging businesses to maintain their operations in the U.S., promising to stand up for American jobs and working families.
The proposed act has garnered praise from the Communications Workers of America (CWA), represented by Dan Mauer, their Director of Government Affairs. Mauer reasserted the Act’s importance, pointing out that taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be used to reward companies that take advantage of exploitative labor practices by outsourcing jobs.
The bill clearly defines several restrictions and penalties for businesses that move call centers or divert customer service calls outside of the U.S. The proposed measures include disqualifying businesses that offshore call centers from federal grants and loans, requiring U.S. companies to identify their call center’s location, and allowing customers to be transferred to a U.S.-based call center upon request. Furthermore, companies will be required to notify the Department of Labor when transferring call center operations overseas.
A wide array of U.S. Senators are standing behind the bill, including renowned figures such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Backed by the Communications Workers of America, this act promises to protect jobs, families, and sensitive personal data from offshore threats.
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