Labor Caucus Urges Teleperformance to Respect Workers’ Right to Organize

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Steven Horsford (NV-04), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Donald Norcross (NJ-01) with Vice-Chair Rep. Val Hoyle (OR-04) led over 70 House Democrats in a letter urging Teleperformance CEO Daniel Julien to refrain from illegal interference as interpreters seek to organize a union and to ensure full compliance with Teleperformance’s global agreement with UNI Global Union in the United States.

“We have received troubling reports from our constituents and from interpreters at both LanguageLine Solutions and ZP Better Together, describing issues with inadequate breaks between calls, insufficient access to benefits, inadequate training, and major occupational safety and health issues on the job,” wrote the lawmakers. “ It is crucial to provide workers a voice to address these issues in a systematic way.”

“Teleperformance states in its Human Rights Policy that it is committed to compliance with all International Labour Organization conventions,” continued the lawmakers. “In light of reports that Teleperformance employees have been terminated for engaging in protected concerted activity, it feels especially urgent that the company immediately align its practices with its stated commitments and U.S. labor law.”

“We expect companies operating in the US, especially those benefitting from public programs, to respect the law and dignity of their workforce. We will continue to monitor Teleperformance’s actions closely and anticipate meaningful, verifiable progress on labor rights,” concluded the lawmakers.

A full copy of the letter can be found here. The letter was signed by 72 House Democrats.

This letter was supported by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).