A prominent US Senator has asked an Ohio-based security system company not to move its information technology and other back-office jobs to India.
Diebold, one of Northeast Ohio's largest and most successful companies, according to the local Akron Beacon Journal, is looking to move up to 200 IT and 'back office' jobs to India over the next two years citing potential skill shortage.
In a letter to Diebold president and CEO Thomas W. Swidarski, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, has asked the company to explore other options to keep the jobs in the State.
"I believe that my office could coordinate a collaborative approach to address Diebold's skill issues, while keeping work in Ohio," Brown wrote.
"Increasingly, my office is working with colleges, the Edison Centre network and companies to in-source work and bring work back to our shores. These companies -- which are bringing jobs back to Ohio -- recognise the quality and capabilities of the world-class workforce provided by our top-quality schools.
"These schools may very well meet your needs, enabling you to keep this work in Ohio," the Senator said.
In a statement, Brown said there are thousands of Ohioans that would welcome the opportunity to apply for a job at Diebold.
"In fact, it's Ohio workers that have helped make Diebold a household name," Brown said. "I urge Diebold to do all it can to preserve these much-needed jobs in Summit County, and I stand ready to work with the company to do whatever it takes to keep these jobs in Ohio," he said.
Headquartered in Canton, Ohio, Diebold was founded in 1859 as a security equipment company. It employs more than 15,000 associates with representation in nearly 90 countries worldwide.
It is a world leader in card-based, self-service transaction systems, security products and customer service.