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["Toni Hawryluk" <tonihawr AT msn.com>]

from another list :  GAO weighs in on U.S. exporting jobs
            WashTech News
            SEATTLE - Offshore outsourcing of U.S. jobs is a growing trend 
that cannot be ignored, according to a final report released today by the 
General Accounting Office (GAO). The GAO plans at least four additional 
studies in the coming months to further investigate this issue. 


            The GAO got involved after two Seattle-based labor unions, 
SPEEA-IFPTE and WashTech/CWA requested congressional action and research into 
the explosive new trend of high-end manufacturing and service job moving 
overseas.  


            "This study is a good first step," said Charles Bofferding, 
executive director of SPEEA. "It recognizes that outsourcing is growing and a 
troubling trend for our workers and our country." 


            "The GAO has clearly stated in this report that outsourcing of 
U.S. jobs abroad can not be ignored, and the government needs to act in order 
to address the issue in terms of data collection and policy solutions," said 
Marcus Courtney, WashTech president. 


            Released in Washington, D.C., the study was made at the request 
of Washington state Reps. Adam Smith (D-9th District) and Jay Inslee (D-1st 
District). The congressmen were prompted to make the request by the Society 
of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001 
and the Washington Alliance of Technical Workers (WashTech), CWA Local 37083. 


            SPEEA represents technical workers and engineers primarily at The 
Boeing Company. WashTech represents high-tech workers in the software 
industry. Both unions have experienced union members losing jobs as companies 
send more work to lower cost workers overseas. 


            The study does not make recommendations regarding the outsourcing 
trend. Union officials said they will continue to work with lawmakers to find 
solutions that encourage corporations to keep jobs in the U.S. 


            "We thank our congressional leaders for pushing for this study 
and welcome their help as the study continues," said Bofferding. 


            The actual scope of the study was reduced by the GAO to look 
primarily at service jobs. The GAO plans four additional studies to examine 
corporate offshore outsourcing's effect on federal procurement, trade and 
international affairs, critical capital/infrastructure and income security 
for workers. No release dates have been set for the additional reports. 


            In addition to job loss, the unions are concerned about the 
transfer of technology that occurs when corporations send high-level work 
overseas. 


            "Not only is Boeing creating jobs overseas, we are teaching them 
how to make airplanes," said Dave Landress, a member of SPEEA's Executive 
Board. "We're creating another competitor for our own products." 


            The GAO report, entitled: International Trade: Current Government 
Data Provide Limited Insight into Outsourcing of Services was scheduled for 
posting at: www.gao.gov<http://www.gao.gov/> 
<http://www.gao.gov/<http://www.gao.gov/>> .