Massachusetts custodians mobilize to defeat privatization effort

[Omaha Steve]

https://www.afscme.org/blog/massachusetts-custodians-mobilize-to-defeat-privatization-effort

By Pablo Ros · Monday, May 06, 2024

To Diane Babbin-Disciullo, a custodian for the town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, her job is more than just a job.

Babbin-Disciullo grew up in nearby Kingston and has been serving Duxbury schools for 19 years. She has worked in all the town’s schools — including the middle school and the high school — and loves what she does because it’s all about the kids.

“I love making a positive impact in their lives,” she says.

That’s why she was so disappointed when, on Dec. 6, the Duxbury School Committee announced that it would explore the possibility of privatizing the custodial staff — that is, hiring an outside company to fill and manage those positions.

FULL story at link above.

[Lonestarblue]

1. The privatization of our lives for business profits.

When these jobs are privatized, they pay lower wages and thus workers are paying lower income taxes. If they’re citizens, they and the business pays lower Social Security taxes, thus decreasing future retirement benefits. I don’t know whether the Duxbury schools or town cover pensions for all workers or just teachers, but custodial workers would also lose those future pensions. Privatizing workers delivering public services just does not make sense.

[XanaDUer2]

2. Hospitals Ive worked for outsourced cafeteria

Which used to be regular staff positions w pensions...the cleaners still were direct employees and the CEO who caused my layoff was paid a fortune and got a country club membership. Yeah I'm bitter.