HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-084RESOLUTION NO. 02-84
A RESOLUTION URGING BELLSOUTH TO
RECONSIDER ITS PROPOSED RELOCATION
OF THE FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA CALL
CENTER LOCATED AT 3300 OKEECHOBEE
ROAD, GIVEN THE SEVERE ECONOMIC AND
EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH A
MOVE
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made
the following determinations:
1. BellSouth recently announced that the corporation plans to relocate the call centers
operating in ten Florida cities into four cities.
2. The relocation proposal constitutes a major change in the operation of BellSouth services
for Treasure Coast citizens, businesses, and local governments, and tremendous upheaval in the lives
of company employees whose livelihood and family security are threatened.
3. The proposal removes the call centers that operate currently in Gainesville, Panama City,
Daytona, Orlando, Fort Pierce, and West Palm Beach, and leaves the whole territory on the Treasure
Coast without customer service from call centers in the region.
4. Call centers constitute the customer service network of BellSouth and include the Sales
Associates, Service Representatives, and Office Assistance.
5. BellSouth's proposal will uproot those families that are compelled to relocate according
to the company directive, and the large number of long-term employees who cannot move to follow
their jobs will simply be left behind financially and emotionally.
6. Dedicated women constitute the principal class of employees tragically affected by the
relocation proposal, and traditionally it is more difficult for them to relocate and Florida's Treasure
Coast, including surrounding communities, will suffer a significant reduction in anticipated
revenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Cotmty Commissioners of St.
Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board herebyurges BellSouth to reconsider its proposed relocation of the Fort Pierce,
Florida call center given the severe economic and emotional consequences of such a move.
2. The County Administrator is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Mr.
Isaiah Harris, Jr., President Consumer Services, BellSouth Corporation, Suite/Floor 6A22, 1025
Lenox Park Blvd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30319-5309; Ms. Valencia I. Adams, Coo-Consumer
Services, BellSouth Corporation, Suite/Floor 6A52, 1025 Lenox Park Blvd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia
30319-5309; Ms. Hilda P. Geer, Consumer Vice-President & General Manager, BellSouth
Corporation, Rom 660, 600 NW 79th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33126; and Ms. Maureen Stecher,
Office Manager-Consumer, BellSouth Corporation, Room 130, 3300 Okeechobee Road, Ft. Pierce,
Florida 34947.
After motion and second the vote on this resolution was as follows:
Chairman Doug Coward
Vice Chairman Cliff Barnes
Commissioner Paula A. Lewis
Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson
Commissioner John D. Bruhn
AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 2nd day of April, 2002.
ATTESTED:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
OUN I~T~y A~NECTNESS:
Y