California delays the backlash over IT layoffs

[OhioChick]

At its final legislative session of the year, California Senate stalls action on two H-1B bills

Sep 14, 2015 2:06 PM PT

Southern California Edison's layoff of IT workers stirred state lawmakers to action this year as the state Assembly approved two bills attacking the use of H-1B workers to offshore jobs.

But on Friday, the state Senate failed to take up either bill in its final 2015 session. They were sidelined with no discussion or vote. The Senate resumes work in January and the bills may return then, said spokespersons for the sponsors.

Assembly Joint Resolution 12, introduced by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella), asked the U.S. government to investigate the H-1B program. It was introduced after Southern California Edison hired two India-based IT contractors and cut some 500 IT workers.

Some of the workers had to train their replacements.

The resolution, approved in the state Assembly 49 to 20, criticized the H-1B visa program as "a virtual pipeline for outsourcing U.S. workforce jobs." A second bill, Assembly Bill 853, sought regulatory changes. This bill, sponsored by Roger Hernandez (D-West Covina), prohibited state regulated utilities from outsourcing critical infrastructure work without regulatory approval.

More: http://www.computerworld.com/article/2983914/it-outsourcing/california-delays-the-backlash-over-it-layoffs.html