Labor Federation Stages Protest Outside Randy Altschuler's Headquarters

The Long Island Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) held a protest on Monday afternoon, outside the Farmingville campaign headquarters of Republican Congressional candidate Randy Altschuler.  

AFL-CIO called on Altschuler to resign from his position on the board of directors at the outsourcing company, GlobalLogic.  The corporation employs 3,000 people, two-thirds of whom are located in India, and one-third in Ukraine. 

AFL-CIO is adamant that since GlobalLogic helps American corporations to outsource office operations and development overseas for lower rates, the GOP candidate is further hurting the American economy, and is thereby unfit to run for Congress . Altschuler, a St. James resident, is running against incumbent Tim Bishop.

The federation is Long Island's largest labor organization with more than 250,000 members.  As they urge the self-professed fiscal conservative to sever ties with Virginia-based, GlobalLogic, they also underscore his past as CEO and co-founder of Office Tiger, one of the pioneers in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in India. 

The company paved the way for countless other U.S. businesses to follow suit.  Today, it is widely regarded as the undisputed father of BPO, especially after R.R. Donnelley & Sons acquired it for the staggering sum of $250 million, in an all-cash deal.  However, Office Tiger continues to operate as an independent unit, with Altschuler staying on as co-president.

Roger Clayman, executive director of AFL-CIO spoke on behalf of the nearly two dozen protestors outside headquarters.

"It makes no sense for him to think he can run for Congress, and sit on the board of a company whose purpose is to outsource jobs," he said. "We're just pointing out the contradiction."

Neither Altschuler, nor any of his staff or supporters was on hand during the protest.  Rob Ryan, Altschuler's senior communications advisor did issue a written statement addressing the protestors.

"It's a fact, Randy Altschuler has created over 700 jobs for hardworking  Americans, 250 right here in New York," the statement said. "Tim Bishop and his supporters in organized labor are twisting the truth.  They know that Tim Bishop is the real outsourcer in this race.  Tim Bishop and his Democrat colleagues in Albany and Washington have repeatedly voted higher taxes, more red tape and increased regulation; killing jobs and driving businesses and workers out of Long Island and New York State in search of a more business friendly environment."

President of AFL-CIO, John R. Durso countered.

"You can't say you're about American jobs then get paid to export good American jobs overseas," he said. "It's talking out of both sides of your mouth. Randy Altschuler wants you to think his outsourcing days are over—they're not.  At a time when Americans are struggling to find work, Long Island cannot afford to hire someone whose business interests flourish when jobs disappear to overseas.  We need a leader who can create jobs in American, not India."

Many Altschuler protesters were also there to speak out in favor of his opponent. 

"I'm here to support Tim Bishop,"said Tom Barry from the East Islip Teachers Association. "If it weren't for Bishop bringing federal dollars to Long Island schools in this time of economic crisis, the children of Long Island schools would be going without."

Beth Dimino, president of the Port Jeff. Station Teachers Association expressed similar sentiments.

"Mr. Bishop has been a friend of public education and a longtime resident," she said. "Altschuler moved here two years ago to find a place to run for Congress."

Maureen LaWare, chief steward for Local 1108 for Communication Workers of America was there mainly out of concern for the workforce her four children would be entering.  The concerned mother wondered whether the thousands of dollars spent in student loans would prove to be a good financial investment, in light of the current economic climate. 

"Are they going to get jobs if they're outsourcing?  The future is limited because of outsourcing," she said.

Durso looked through the dark windows of Altschuler's empty headquarters and quipped," There's nobody in there.  They outsourced those jobs too."