What we want: Public jobs for public schools

NEA Today, Sep 1994

Take one group of cafeteria workers, one contract, and Association unity. Add a touch of ingenuity, and what can you get? A district without subcontracting.

This spring, the Brunswick (Ohio) Support Personnel Association (BSPA) bargained a contract giving cafeteria workers full control of the district's 10 school kitchens. The twist: if the kitchens run in the black after one year, the district will not subcontract any jobs for the next three years.

"Our 45 cafeteria worker members plan to do what ARA hasn't been able to do in the last three years--that is, save the district some money," says BSPA President Linda Nawrocki. "In the process, they'll be saving the jobs of Association colleagues in all other job classifications." The local represents 203 custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, and teacher assistants in addition to the cafeteria workers.

The move isn't without risk. The district has been in a severe financial crisis over the last five years, and the cafeteria workers will be breaking new ground by using site-based decision making to run the kitchens.

When BSPA members gathered to ratify the new contract, they discussed the risk factor with their cafeteria colleagues. "We wanted to know if they were willing to accept such heavy responsibility," Nawrocki recalls. "And in a show of unity, we told them we'd vote down the contract--even though it saved our jobs--if they felt they couldn't do it."

"When we heard that, we stood up and said, 'We can do it. we've got what it takes to be successful,'" says Shirley Urbanik, who was chosen by her peers to be food service coordinator.

Members agreed. The final vote: 118-1.

Here's how colleagues around the country are waging the fight against privatization:

* In Michigan, keeping contractors out of the East Grand Rapids school district has not only saved tens of thousands of dollars, it's created a better environment for learning, say members of East Grand Rapids ESP.

"That's because we've taken over full management of the schools' maintenance program, and we're making better decisions about construction and maintenance needs." explains Association Vice President Bob Weisman.

"We've saved the district money that can now be used for other programs, and saved our members time that they're now using to get more involved in the schools. One of our members helped build an aquarium," Weisman says, "and others have brought animals from their farms to school.

The district also saved money another way. The site-based program made so much sense, the custodial supervisor--who was against the idea anyway--resigned and wasn't replaced.

* In Florida, members of the Non-Instructional Personnel of Seminole County beat back attempts to subcontract custodial services by getting involved before decisions were made.

When the school board decided to consider subcontracting, Association leaders, together with UniServ Director Nancy Wheeler, convinced the board to look at alternatives, this time through a committee that included principals, NIPSCO members, and board members. The committee's conclusion: contracting's out.

* NEA members at the University of Rhode Island survived an 18-month campaign to privatize the campus bookstore operation. NEA Rhode Island and the Association of Clerical-Technicals/URI worked both to secure jobs and convince the college community that contracting out wasn't the answer.

Where To Get Help

* The NEA Center for the Preservation of Public Education. This center was created to counter the forces currently attacking public education by offering information and technical assistance to NEA affiliates on privatization, vouchers, and right wing attacks on public schools. To tap into the Center's resources, contact your NEA Regional office.

* NEA Online. This online computer network helps you fight subcontracting by allowing you to download files like "Evaluating Privatization Efforts." With a computer and a modem, you can trade strategies with colleagues around the nation. For your free installation kit, call 800/827-6364, ext. 3687.

* Contracting Out: Strategies for Fighting Back. Everything you've ever wanted to know in the fight against privatization. For copies, contact NEA Membership and Affiliates, 1201 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036.

Whittling Away at Our Jobs

Why is the battle against privatization so critical? Ask Custodian Chris Kechula, vice-president of the Piscataway (New Jersey) Township Education Association. Despite a successful effort to keep Education Alternatives, Inc. from "managing Piscataway schools, privatization efforts continue.

If EAI is out, what's the worry?

The problem is that our superintendent still tried to privatize the custodial services. More than once he said we were overpaid and that he could use the savings from privatization for school programs.

Was he successful?

No. We went straight to the community and told them our story. We wanted parents to be aware of what was happening. We let them know there's a human cost to privatizing.

What should others learn from your fight?