SEIU Stops Privatization of Metro Social Services!
Member Action and Persistence Saves Dozens of Jobs
SEIU members taking action was the key to victory in stopping privatization at Metro Social Services when the department’s Board of Commissioners voted against the outsourcing of its homemaker and nutrition services programs. At a special called meeting on May 28, both department managers and union members gave testimony that led to a unanimous “No on Privatization” vote by commissioners Gwen Harris, George Price, Howard Gentry, Barbara Toms, Frank Boehm, and Mary Kay Mouser. As a result, between 40 and 50 jobs that would have been eliminated next year were saved.
The push for privatization of Social Services' homemaker and nutrition programs grew out of a performance audit of the department done by a company called Maximus in 2004. "Maximus' study was discredited by SEIU when the union discovered that the company had a profit motive when it did the audit," says Mark Naccarato, political coordinator for Local 205. "While we managed to halt the push for privatization in 2005, the issue came up again recently as a political football to attack the Social Services director and as a bargaining chip in this year's budget fight".
Michele McKenzie, the union’s chief steward in Social Services played a lead role in the anti-privatization campaign and knew what it would take to win. “The union’s members had to get involved and take direct action,” Michele says. “It was all of us – the rank and file at Social Services - who helped formulate the Union’s strategy. We attended Metro Council meetings, we talked to the press, we lobbied elected officials, and we educated the new board members about what we did and how much more efficient we were than the private sector".
Cora Pinkerton, a veteran homemaker and union steward, agrees with Michele about how the grassroots effort by her union co-workers helped save jobs in a tight economy. “All of us pulling together, organized and strong, is what saved the day,” Cora says. “This is the second time that privatization has come up in the last four years as a real threat to the department, but our Union just keeps beating it back. We are stronger together!”
Vesther Person, a homemaker with Social Services for 27 years, says she thinks the push for privatization has died down for now, but could be a problem again in the future. “There are always going to be people who want to hand over everything to the private sector, even when the government can do it better and cheaper… like at Social Services,” Vesther says. “We’re going to continue to keep our eyes and ears open and we’re going to keep delivering the best homemaker and nutrition services in the state of Tennessee!”
Doug Collier, President of Local 205, offered his congratulations and his thanks. “On behalf of the Local, I’d like to congratulate the membership in Social Services on this amazing workplace victory and to thank our community allies for their help. And of course, thanks to the Social Services Board of Commissioners for voting for what’s best for the workers, the clients, and the public.”