Democratic consultant blacklisted by labor group

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The head of the California Labor Federation has asked Democrats to not do business with a Bay Area Democratic consultant it accuses of fraternizing with the enemy. In a letter sent to other consultants and campaigns, the head of the labor group, Art Pulaksi, alleges consultant Jude Barry is ‘supporting the efforts of an antiunion committee attempting to qualify a ballot measure that would require union members to offer consent before their dues are used for political campaigns.

Barry, who runs a Silicon Valley consulting firm called Catapult Strategies, ran Steve Westly’s 2006 run for governor. He has also worked for Howard Dean, Richard Gephardt and the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Barry called Pulaski’s letter ‘unfortunate and inaccurate’ and said neither he nor Catapult is profiting from the initiative proponents. Barry is also co-founder of a company called Verafirma, a technology firm that allows campaigns to gather electronic signatures for ballot measures. Verafirma has a contract with the measure’s proponents.

‘We have talked with Mr. Barry and asked him to cease his relations with the antiunion committee, but he refuses to do so,’ the letter states. Labor Federation spokesman Steve Smith added, ‘It’s Mr. Barry’s prerogative to work with whomever he wants. If he’s more interested in making a quick buck than supporting workers values, we’re going to let people know.’
Barry said he spoke to Pulaski and explained that he was not profiting from Verafirma’s work with the measure’s proponents.

The measure has until mid-April to submit signatures for the November ballot. Recent campaign finance reports indicate the movement to qualify the measure for the ballot is struggling to raise the money it needs.

-- Anthony York