Skip to main content

Logo

School custodians, community supporters rally to keep quality services and good jobs in Malden!

May 6, 2014

Over 100 community and labor members turned out to support Malden school custodians at a rally to keep quality services in local schools on May 5 in front of Malden City Hall.  After the rally, many of the custodians and their supporters attended a meeting of the Malden School Committee.

[caption id="attachment_4761" align="alignright" width="300"]"The custodians go above and beyond in their service to the schools, while these private contractors often provide inferior service in their quest to maximize profits. We are not going to stand by idly and watch good local jobs be destroyed and dedicated staff forced on unemployment," said Local 888 President Mark DelloRusso at the Malden rally. "The custodians go above and beyond in their service to the schools, while these private contractors often provide inferior service in their quest to maximize profits. We are not going to stand by idly and watch good local jobs be destroyed and dedicated staff forced on unemployment," said Local 888 President Mark DelloRusso at the Malden rally.[/caption]

"I'm really concerned about the Mayor's proposal to 'out-source' our jobs to a private contractor," said Paul Cutone at the rally.  Cutone is a Senior Custodian at the Salemwood School with 20 years of service to the city. "As a lifelong Malden resident, I care deeply about my community and the services we provide."

Of the 28 school custodians, 57 percent live in Malden and another 29 percent live in contiguous communities.  The custodians have an average of 16 years of service.

"The loss of these jobs will not only be devastating to all of us and our families, but to the entire community as well," Cutone continued.  "Most of us are homeowners; we spend our money in Malden and pay taxes here.  Outsourcing our jobs will lead to inferior quality of service with doubtful cost savings."

[caption id="attachment_4762" align="alignleft" width="150"]"I believe the city has over $1 million in a special rainy day fund. Can't they use that money to help us -- because it looks like it's raining to me," said Jovan Walcott, a custodian and Malden resident. "I believe the city has over $1 million in a special rainy day fund. Can't they use that money to help us -- because it looks like it's raining to me," said Jovan Walcott, a custodian and Malden resident.[/caption]

Jovan Walcott, a custodian and Malden resident said, "Other may know more about this, but I believe the city has over $1 million in a special rainy day fund.  Can't they use that money to help us -- because it looks like it's raining to me!"

Other speakers at the rally included Steven Tolman, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO Rich Rodgers from the Greater Boston Labor Council and Malden Ward 2 Councillor Steven Ultrino.  In addition to the many Local 888 members and Malden residents, there were members and representatives from IBEW Local 2222, the Somerville Labor Coalition, Mass Senior Action Council, SEIU 1199, SEIU Local 509, Carpenters Local 40, Jobs with Justice, MassUniting, Steelworkers Local 2431, UNITE HERE Local 26 and UAW Local 1596.

In addition to holding the community support rally, custodians recently sent a letter to many of Mayor Christenson's top political contributors, posing significant questions for him to answer regarding the outsourcing plan.

The custodian's union, SEIU Local 888, took out a full page ad in the Malden Observer on May 2 urging residents to raise their concerns about quality of service and losing local jobs with the mayor.

[caption id="attachment_4763" align="alignright" width="300"]Over 100 community and labor members turned out to support the Malden school custodians. In addition to the many Local 888 members and Malden residents, there were members and representatives from: Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Greater Boston Labor Council, IBEW Local 2222, the Somerville Labor Coalition, Mass Senior Action Council, SEIU 1199, SEIU Local 509, Carpenters Local 40, Jobs with Justice, MassUniting, Steelworkers Local 2431, UNITE HERE Local 26 and UAW Local 1596. Over 100 community and labor members turned out to support the Malden school custodians. In addition to the many Local 888 members and Malden residents, there were members and representatives from: Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Greater Boston Labor Council, IBEW Local 2222, the Somerville Labor Coalition, Mass Senior Action Council, SEIU 1199, SEIU Local 509, Carpenters Local 40, Jobs with Justice, MassUniting, Steelworkers Local 2431, UNITE HERE Local 26 and UAW Local 1596.[/caption]

"The savings from outsourcing varies widely and often diminish over time," said Mark DelloRusso, President of Local 888.  "The custodians go above and beyond in their service to the schools, while these private contractors often provide inferior service in their quest to maximize profits.  We are not going to stand by idly and watch good local jobs be destroyed and dedicated staff forced on unemployment."

For a copy of the letter sent to the Mayor's top political contributors, the full-page newspaper ad and a fact sheet about the proposed outsourcing, email rwilsonseiu888.org.

More pictures from the rally may be viewed on Google+ or Facebook.

SEIU Local 888 unites more than 8,000 public service, higher education and not-for-profit workers in Massachusetts for the good jobs and quality services our communities need.  Learn more at: www.seiu888.org.