AGL bringing call center workers back to metro Atlanta

By David Markiewicz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Three years ago, Atlanta-based AGL Resources  announced it was outsourcing some of its customer call operations and about 140 jobs to India.

Friday, the parent of Atlanta Gas Light reversed coursed, saying that it plans to create 75 customer service positions which will be located at its existing call center in Riverdale. The facility, which handles higher-level "escalated" calls and back office functions, has 76 employees currently.

The company said the move came in response to customer feedback and because of its desire to invest in Georgia.

"It is important for us to acknowledge that cost savings from our decision to move our calls to India a few years ago have enabled us to invest in the modernization and improvement of many customer service functions and activities," said Hank Linginfelter, executive vice president, utility operations for AGL Resources.

The new jobs will be in place by next June, the company said.  Those employees will handle calls for AGL's local distribution companies including Atlanta Gas Light, Virginia Natural Gas, Florida City Gas, Chattanooga Gas and Elkton Gas in Maryland.

Jobs will be posted in January or February.

AGL last month announced it would open a call center and create 60 jobs in New Jersey to handle calls for its Elizabethtown Gas unit.