Voice of Outsourcing?

From the Washington Post:

"American corporations, fleeing high labor costs, often head overseas. Turns out, some federal agencies may be doing the same.

The Voice of America, working with ever-tightening budgets, is planning a little outsourcing itself -- to Communist China -- to save some taxpayer dollars."

The affected graveyard shift employees (8) will be moved to daylight shifts. VOA sees (of course) financial benefits from the move:

"VOA says the move could save at least $300,000 in salaries and benefits each year, and would relieve people burdened by working those hours -- though we hear most of those affected like their hours and enhanced night pay."

The irony of the situation is not lost on some:

Tim Shamble, president of the American Federation of Government Employees local, notes it doesn't seem to make sense that "English news broadcasts by the Voice of America should be written by non-Americans in a foreign country." Then there's the notion, he said, of American taxpayer dollars providing jobs for noncitizens overseas. ...

This is not the beginning of an outsourcing policy but a "unique situation" and a very important news story. "There are no plans to do this anywhere else," he said.

We shall see.....