Union Supports Bill Requiring Call Center Workers to Disclose Their Location

H.R. 1776, the "Call Center Consumer's Right to Know Act" sponsored by Representative Jason Altmire will be discussed today in Pittsburgh at a news conference. Marylou Shaffer, president of Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 13500, representing Pittsburgh area call center workers, will join Altmire (PA-4) at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building.

H.R. 1776 requires call center employees to disclose their physical location when making calls to or receiving calls from consumers, said the CWA in a release. It would alert consumers that their calls have been redirected overseas and will focus attention on the degree to which U.S. jobs, especially customer call center work, have been shifted overseas. According to the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, there are more than 20,000 employees currently employed at customer service and call centers in southwestern Pennsylvania.