Passenger Trains > Amtrak drops offshore IT contracting provision

Rail News: Amtrak
Amtrak drops off-shore IT provision

Progressive Railroading

Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer William Flynn told a congressional panel last week that he eliminated a provision in an Amtrak request for proposals (RFP) that would have allowed certain information technology (IT) work to be done overseas.


In response to questions during a House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) subcommittee hearing held last week, Flynn said T&I Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio and other lawmakers recently brought the RFP provision to his attention.


In a Sept. 8 letter to Flynn, the lawmakers expressed outrage that an Amtrak RFP would contain such a policy at the same time the railroad plans to lay off 2,050 employees and is seeking nearly $5 billion in federal funding to address pandemic-related financial problems.


"We have adjusted that RFP and taken out the ability of the successful responder to outsource that IT work," Flynn said during the hearing. Amtrak has removed similar provisions in other RFPs, he added.

In a Sept. 11 press release, DeFazio, U.S. Reps. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) and Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) commended Flynn for reversing the policy. However, they reiterated their concerns about Amtrak's pending layoffs and the railroad's plan to reduce service on long-distance routes.


"While we are pleased with Amtrak's decision to change course (on the RFP), we must be diligent in our efforts to prevent the furloughing of over 2,000 Amtrak employees," said Lipinski. "We should continue to work with Amtrak leadership to keep American workers on the job and protect daily long distance service."

https://www.progressiverailroading.com/amtrak/news/Amtrak-drops-off-shore-IT-provision-in-RFP--61558

Does Amtrak still outsource work to Tampa FL?

Posted from Android

Despite rising sea levels the Tampa, Fl labor force is still considered to be living and working "onshore."

Threaten to cut off their allowance, and they behave, just like children.

Posted from Android

Now let's bring back the offshored corporation work.

Lurch_in_ABQ Wrote:
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> Despite rising sea levels the Tampa, Fl labor
> force is still considered to be living and working
> "onshore."

But, they're not Amtrak employees. And they are not in the union.

When Riverside was closed, both issues were cited as concerns by Amtrak workers who lost their jobs.

While I do not have official confirmation I also heard that the Florida call center is staffed by Indian citizens here on Visas. If someone else with more official info can refute that please do, but just sharing what I heard.

lordsigma Wrote:
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> While I do not have official confirmation I also
> heard that the Florida call center is staffed by
> Indian citizens here on Visas. If someone else
> with more official info can refute that please do,
> but just sharing what I heard.

Seriously doubt that. The vast majority of Indian citizens here on work visas are here on H1B visas which are issued for "high tech" workers, i.e. the people who write the code for software.
Working the phones in a reservation call center is NOT high tech work.

Call goes to India.. Indian Julie with a ruby in the middle of her forehead

WAF Wrote:
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> Call goes to India.. Indian Julie with a ruby in
> the middle of her forehead

Wow! Just...wow.

MWPerkins

Posted from Android

Just sharing with I heard. As I said I heard it - no confirmation.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/20 17:49 by lordsigma.

PHall Wrote:
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> Seriously doubt that. The vast majority of Indian
> citizens here on work visas are here on H1B visas
> which are issued for "high tech" workers, i.e. the
> people who write the code for software.
> Working the phones in a reservation call center is
> NOT high tech work.

That should be true, based on firsthand experience. However...

You haven't considered the situation where the host employer doesn't renew the H1B, and the "high tech" worker doesn't want to go back to his or her country of origin. This happens more often than we realize, as I was made aware of this situation not too long ago.