As a tech worker in this country I am alarmed at the continuing job crisis in our industry.  I have seen first hand what the devastating down-turn in the tech economy has meant for my friends and family.  According to a recent report released by WashTech/CWA: 

• Between March 2001 and March 2004, the IT industry eliminated approximately 402,800 jobs, more than half of which were shed during a time when the nation was officially experiencing an economic recovery, starting in November 2001.
  
• Overall the high-tech industry experienced extreme employment volatility between April 2003 and February 2006, a period during which only 76,300 jobs were added nationwide. All told, the sector has recouped less than one-quarter of the IT jobs lost earlier in the decade.

“It is far too soon to celebrate this as a strong recovery,” said Nik Theodore, who co-authored the study and is a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago. “Moreover, the jobs impact of offshoring is considerable.”

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

It is time we promote economic policies in this country that actually support job creation at home instead of government giving incentives to those exporting our jobs and high-tech industry. As a first step you should begin implementing the following program:

1. Pass the "Defend American Dream Act," H.R. 4378, which would reform the H-1B visa program so it no longer allows the tech industry to directly replace U.S. workers and unfairly treat guest workers. This bill would reduce the cap to its former levels of 65,000 and build real worker protections and labor standards into the program. Sponsored by Rep. Pascrell (D-NJ)

2. Pass Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) reform so that service sector workers who lose their job due to foreign trade would receive TAA benefits, as do manufacturing workers.. The bill is H.R. 4156 in the House and S.1309 in the Senate. Sponosored by Rep. Smith (D-WA) and Sen. Cantwell (D-WA).

3. Tax dollars should be spent on creating jobs at home, not outsourcing jobs abroad. For example 48 out of 50 states have their welfare call centers located in foreign countries. The Call Center Consumer Right to Know Act would give consumers the option of choosing to be connected to a call center employee based in the US. It would also require call center employees to disclose the city, state and country where they are operating. The Bill numbers are H.R. 4932 and S. 2553, sponsored by Rep. Strickland (D-OH) and Sen. Kerry (D-MA).

4. Create international trade agreements that support job creation in the U.S. instead of the current agreements that favor multinational corporations, regardless of the effect on workers, their familes, and their communities?and even our national economic and technical interests.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
June 13, 2006