Outsourcing is when big corporations and banking institutions take away jobs from their employees and send these jobs to countries where the pay is dirt cheap. The Bank of America employees who were outsourced from Concord (over 70 plus from just one department alone) had devoted ten, twenty and even thirty years of service and had full plans to retire with the bank. This dedication got us nowhere.

I was one of these employees. December 9, 2009 was my last day of employment. It was my desire to contribute to our unit until I would retire; this was the same feeling from others as well as my retirement was still a few years down the line. Our department was placed under the Federal Trade Act which enabled us to return to college to be retrained in another field.

Going back to college has been uplifting but also physically and mentally challenging. With our current economy the way it is, this makes finding new employment almost impossible as there are no jobs in “these new fields.”  Also when competing for job positions, looking and finding work when your middle age is difficult and frustrating.

Bank of America is guilty of operating with “profit” being their bottom line for their shareholders at the expense of dedicated employees.   Plans of retirement are shattered, health care lost, 401K and Pensions abolished, and for many the start of a foreclosure is just a heartbeat away from reality.

Many of us have had to downsize our lifestyle to the bare necessities. Trying to stay optimistic is a daily chore and my life may have taken a turn in a different direction if it weren’t for college. Many of us trade act students are enrolled here at DVC, seeking degrees in a world full of uncertainties.

Bank of America may possibly lose its foothold in Concord as more jobs are being outsourced. This also undercuts the local economy as these workers bought gas, ate at local restaurants, grocery shopped, handled banking needs, and visited local physicians and hospitals for services.  This is also a loss for Concord as taxes are not being paid by employees moving elsewhere in order to secure new jobs.

The government needs to stop outsourcing by levying heavy fines against these banks and corporations that deliberately leave the United States. Shame on you Bank of America.

Sincerely,
Susan Blatz, student