The FI$Cal project maintenance and operations and state child support IT contracts are among those being targeted by SEUI Local 1000 for potential cancellation as part of the Budget Solutions Task Force review process, a spokesperson for the state has confirmed.
A representative from the Department of Child Support Services attended Tuesday’s task force meeting to discuss the agency’s $71.7 million, 5-year contract with a private firm to assist with maintenance and operation of the Child Support Enforcement systems. At the next meeting on October 16, a representative from FI$Cal will attend to answer questions about the contract to run the statewide financial accounting system after it is launched, according to CalHR communications director Lynelle Jolley.
As part of this year’s budget deal, the Brown Administration negotiated terms with SEIU Local 1000 for a side letter agreement that includes a 4.62% pay cut and one required personal leave day per month. As part of the agreement, the task force, comprised of a handful of SEIU representatives and equal number of state government representatives will begin performing a review of state contracts, for work that could be done by state employees with the goal of finding savings for the state.
Prior to the task force’s second meeting on August 28, the union provided state officials with a list of contracts totaling more than $2 billion.
The union narrowed the list to five top priority contracts as a way to define the review process to include a way for both sides to review contracts and gather input from department program staff.
At a recent technology industry event in Sacramento, Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo) said that legislative hearings could take place next year to review any list of IT and other outsourcing projects that may be brought up by the union.
