DRACUT, Mass. – A plan to privatize custodial services in a Massachusetts school system was unanimously rejected after members of AFSCME Local 1404 (Council 93) launched a sustained, coordinated campaign in opposition.
Their success saved up to 22 AFSCME members’ jobs and educated the Dracut community about the pitfalls of turning the work of dedicated public servants over to a private for-profit company.
“We just kept fighting for our rights, and thanks to Council 93 for all their help and guidance every step of the way, we are able to say that we came out on top,” said Local 1404 President Chad Adamczyk.
Using their strong union voice, Local 1404 members, with the assistance of the Council 93 campaign team, battled the privatization effort over the last several months.
Union members were a constant presence at school committee meetings, town elections, on social media and in local news outlets. They educated residents on the benefits of keeping the custodial services in-house.
The campaign showcased the power of grassroots organizing by generating hundreds of privatization-opposing emails to school committee members and getting 85 Dracut residents to sign a petition opposing the proposal.
Local 1404 members emphasized not only the potential loss of good-paying union jobs but also the importance of continuity, trust, and familiarity that in-house custodial staff bring to the Dracut school community.
AFSCME members also conducted standout demonstrations and leafletted voters twice —once in bitter cold and once in driving snow — to raise awareness and encourage public engagement.
Adamczyk, Vice-President Bill Desmond, and the Council 93 campaign team worked in close coordination and solidarity.
Council 93 has long argued that privatization weakens accountability, lowers service standard and costs the taxpayers more in the long run.
The Dracut School Committee voted 5-0 to reject the privatization plan on March 23, a decisive victory that shows how unions make a positive difference for workers.
“The custodians themselves played the most important role simply by quietly doing their jobs so well over many years before this fight. Because of their dedication and hard work throughout their careers, the Dracut community joined us in the fight,” said Council 93 Executive Director Mark Bernard, who’s also an AFSCME vice president.
“Despite the uncertainty they dealt with as their livelihoods were on the line, they proudly continued to show that same strong work ethic throughout the fight,” Bernard added. “When we fight, we win.”