Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made a personal phone call to the President of National Grid urging him to not outsource New York jobs as they proceed through their organizational review. Following news reports that National Grid was considering outsourcing much of its information services work, including software programming, computer networking and other functions, outsourcing as many as 1,200 jobs in the Northeast, Senator Gillibrand sent a letter on January 4 to Tom King, President of National Grid U.S.A urging him to reconsider.

“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of keeping these dedicated employees on the National Grid payroll. Even outsourcing locally to subcontractors that do not provide good benefits or a living wage would have negative effects on our local economy,” said Gillibrand.

According to news reports, National Grid is considering outsourcing much of its information services work, including software programming, computer networking and other functions. According to the reports, one request for proposals (RFP) for outside vendors has already been issued, with possibly three more to come in the coming months. National Grid USA made nearly $1.5 billion in profits last year, due in large part to the quality in-house workforce it relies on.

During her phone call, Gillibrand expressed her disappointment with a company that made almost $1.5 billion in profits last year would look for ways to increase profits at the expense of its current competent and capable employees, especially during this economic time.

In addition, Senator Gillibrand offered to work with National Grid as they evaluate all aspects of their operation as she is working on a number of proposals to help New York companies sustain their workforces and create new jobs, and is working on new legislation that would cut taxes for businesses so they start hiring again and put New Yorkers back to work now.

Source:http://www.empirestatenews.net/News/20100123-3.html