Washington State Cancels Child Welfare Lead Agency Procurement Due to State Employee Suit

On May 26, 2011, the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) cancelled its February 2011 procurement for private sector child welfare lead agencies to comply with an injunction issued May 18, 2011 by the Thurston County Superior Court. The Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), which is the union representing state employees, had filed a lawsuit on May 5, 2011 protesting the loss of jobs it claimed was likely to occur when DSHS awarded contracts to private sector organizations. Shortly after the suit was filed, the court issued the injunction requiring DSHS to halt the procurement immediately. Currently . . .