ACS Call Center Will Be Missed

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 03:42 AM

The closing of the ACS call center will definitely hurt Prince George, that is a plain and simple fact. The 300 or so people who will lose their jobs, some of whom have just been hired, spells an end to a company that has given many people, living near the edge, a opportunity to be actively engaged in a work force at a decent salary.

These workers, not only work in Prince George, they also spend in Prince George and the economy (in particular the down town) will be affected.

ACS will be able to leave the city, proud to know that they were viewed as a strong corporate citizen that will not easily be replaced.

We are now beginning to see the new direction that the US is taking; they are clawing back as many jobs as possible to their own borders even if that comes at the risk to other nations with whom they deal.

That protectionist attitude can come back to bite you , because while Canada is the US’s largest trading partner, that trade comes largely in natural resources, the natural resources needed to feed the machines that make the US operate. Too much protectionism can result in reprisal and trade levies would do major damage to a US economy trying to work their way out of a deep recession.

Quite apart from all that, we wish ACS the best, they have been good for this city, more over good for its people, we will miss you come July, and someday we hope to have you back.

I’m Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion.

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Posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 03:42 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: RUEZ on April 29 2009 5:21 AM

I find it strange that they were just announcing 100 new jobs, what seemed like weeks ago.

Posted by: MiddleGround on April 29 2009 5:40 AM

Their client pulled the plug.

Posted by: muckermike on April 29 2009 6:09 AM

A terrible blow for our city at the worst possible time. My sympathy's to the workers who are losing their jobs.

Posted by: Wolfie on April 29 2009 7:10 AM

Are these jobs really being moved to the U.S.? Isn't it more likely that they're going to India?

Posted by: seamutt on April 29 2009 9:22 AM

Wolfie no I saw a piece on the news, they are pulling these jobs out of India also. The Obama stimulus package is being used for this. When that money runs out the jobs will be outsourced again.

Posted by: Loki on April 29 2009 11:30 AM

it is my understanding that they have lost their primary client for this office, so they are just shutting down this location.
Jobs lost, yes.
Jobs moved to another branch, no.

Posted by: dirtcheap on April 29 2009 12:24 PM

Every day the US is pulling companies out of this country,but what does our Canadian Government do about it? We win all court rulings on free trade,but we still back down to the US. We need a Government with some backbone, someone who will stand up to the US Government and send them a clear message that we will not put up with their bullying any more. Obomba has just started his protectionism regime, Canada needs to let him know that there will be repercussions.

Posted by: Palopu on April 29 2009 8:45 PM

dircheap. We are like a fly on an elephants ass. The US has little or no concern on how Canada runs its business.

We have no clout. They are our biggest customer and we export approx 80% of what we produce to the US. This should count for something. They are our best customer and we should quit knocking them, and try to get them to buy more Canadian goods.

These two bit call centre jobs came to Canada from the US in the first place, a number of them from Washington and Oregon, so why should we bitch when they go back.

We should find another drum to beat and give the Americans a break. Without them we would be up S--T Creek without a paddle.