New Britain, CT, Feb 24, 2021 – The union representing Putnam custodians has reached a settlement regarding a labor board complaint against the Board of Education’s outsourcing of custodial work to the private company ABM Industries.

The settlement provides job protection for the custodial employees regardless of the status of the town’s contract with ABM and allows them to remain members of AFSCME Council 4.

In addition to protecting their collective bargaining rights, custodial employees will retain their current wages and staffing levels, and will be able to receive health insurance through ABM at the same cost offered by their previous contract with the Board of Education. 

Last fall, Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees filed an amended Municipal Prohibited Practice (MPP) complaint on behalf of Putnam custodians over the Board of Education’s deal to outsource custodial services. The complaint filed with the State Board of Labor Relations alleged “bad faith” labor practices because of the town’s failure to negotiate impact of the privatization. The outsourcing agreement impacted 11 custodians who are part of the union.

“Thanks to the power of collective bargaining, we’ve been able to protect our fundamental right to have a voice on the job,” said custodians union president Dan McGinley, who works at Putnam Elementary. “We are pleased to have this weight lifted so we can continue focusing on what is most important – keeping our school environments safe for Putnam students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“This settlement is an important accomplishment for our union members and the Putnam school system,” said Council 4 Staff Representative Tricia Santos, who is the advocate for the custodians. “Custodians are committed employees who dedicate themselves every day to meet the needs of our educational community. We will hold the new employer accountable so that those who provide these vital services are treated fairly.”