U.S. information technology workers are becoming a political force motivated by the flight of jobs overseas, according to a study released Wednesday by a union group.

The survey, commissioned by the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech), found that 93 percent of IT workers are concerned about the impact of offshore outsourcing on their industry. Eight-six percent of respondents support legislation that requires government IT contracts to be filled with U.S. workers.

In addition, 81 percent of respondents support legislation to restrict the H-1B visa guest-worker program, according to the survey. Critics have said H-1B visas and other temporary work visas have fueled the flow of work abroad.

“America’s high-tech work force is demanding that our political leaders curb the abuses of the global economy,” Marcus Courtney, president of WashTech, said in a statement. “American corporations are exporting livable-wage jobs instead of products. Every day that Congress and state legislatures fail to act to stop this attack on our middle class amounts to tacit support of corporate greed over America’s working families.”

The Evans-McDonough Co. of Seattle conducted the study through a national Web survey involving 410 respondents.

U.S. companies have been shifting programming and other IT tasks to countries such as India that offer a technically skilled work force and lower wages. Supporters of the trend argue it helps relatively poor countries develop and keeps U.S. companies competitive. Technology leaders have warned that protectionist measures lead to lower economic growth and higher unemployment.

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