Texas State Workers Revive Campaign to Derail Privatization

In a battle similar to one waged in the mid-1990s, members of TSEU/CWA Local 6186 are fighting to save thousands of jobs and protect badly needed human services that are targeted for cuts and privatization under legislation passed earlier this year.

The plan could eliminate services to 250,000 or more Texans and cut 10,000 or more state jobs. H.B. 2292, passed in the recent session of the Texas Legislature, calls for reorganizing 11 state human services agencies into 5 departments, controlled by a single commissioner appointed by the governor. Eligibility services for most programs would be combined and moved to a privatized call center.

CWA members rallied and lobbied extensively against the bill. TSEU actions included the 2000-strong Lobby Day march and rally on April 9, a series of smaller "Mini Lobby Days" that brought over 100 members in to meet with legislators at the Capitol, hundreds of phone calls, thousands of postcards, and other mobilization actions. Despite the mobilization, the bill passed by a single vote in the state Senate.

Although the bill passed and the Governor has signed it, the fight has just begun. TSEU stopped similar efforts to privatize human services in 1995-1997 after the enabling legislation was passed. Now TSEU intends to do it again, by opposing every step of the process to implement the legislation. Plans call for TSEU members and retirees to be at every meeting and hearing concerning the changes.

TSEU Vice President Mike Gross says whether it's simply attending to take notes, testifying or rallying, the union will be there. "We're going to find ways to take them on every step of the way," he says. "We refuse to be defeated just because a bill has been passed and the governor has signed it."

About 3,000 TSEU members work in 460 state human services offices throughout Texas, serving as caseworkers for people receiving welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, children's health insurance and programs that provide visiting nurses and nursing home care.
Under the Texas scheme, the administrative functions for the services would be handled by a private call center instead of face-to-face contact. Further, the Texas bill calls for reducing the number of people who qualify for aid. "The people who need assistance the most aren't going to get it," Gross says.

Federal law doesn't allow states to contract out work for food stamps and Medicaid, but the state plans to seek a waiver from the Bush administration. Needless to say, the Bush administration is unlikely to stand in the way. The Clinton administration refused to give the state a waiver in its last attempt to privatize services.