Work developing electronic signature technology for initiative petitions has landed one Democratic consultant a spot on the California Federation of Labor's boycott list.

In a letter sent to affiliated unions, CLF Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski blasted Democratic consultant Jude Barry and his firm Catapult Strategies for "supporting the efforts of an anti-union committee" seeking to qualify an initiative that would require that unions get members' consent before using dues for political expenditures.

"It is outrageous that a 'democratic' consultant would support such anti-union efforts," Pulaski wrote.

The letter adds Barry and his firm to the group's "Do Not Patronize" list, meaning members are urged to boycott Barry's services and encourage all their colleagues to do the same.

But Barry, who has worked for CLF-backed candidates such as Rep. John Garamendi in the past, says his Democratic consulting firm isn't helping get that initiative on the ballot.

"It's unfortunate and inaccurate," he said. "I have not now, nor have I ever, worked for that campaign."

Barry is also a founding partner of Verafirma, a company pioneering the use of electronic signatures to qualify initiative petitions.

That company is leasing its technology for test-runs to four initiative campaigns, including the Paycheck Protection Act.

CLF director of communications Steve Smith said the group decided to put Barry individually on the list because "he's the one who's bringing the technology to the campaign."

"If Mr. Barry wants to make a fast buck from a campaign that is so clearly focused on trying to harm workers, that's his right, that's his choice, he can do that," he said.

But Barry said all Verafirma is doing is leasing the technology to the campaign and that he is not profitting from and was not involved in the contract. He said the company's goal of reviving the role of grassroots campaigns in the initiative process through spreading the use of the technology, as well as contractual obligations, prevented him from cutting ties with the campaign, even though he does not support the cause.

"Art Pulaski called me and asked for Verafirma to break the contract with the campaign," Barry said. " I wasn't familiar with it. But when I checked into the issue, it was clear that to do so without cause would be discriminatory and wrong."

The list, which Smith described as a "resource" for members looking for "who we feel shares or doesn't share the values of workers," includes a handful of state political consultants, as well as hotels and large corporations deemed by the group as anti-union.

This post was updated with a response from Barry adding that he did not profit from the contract.