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Beat Privatization

Beat Privatization v2-VL.ppt. Beat Privatization. With Peacetime organizing. What do we know about privatization?. “…privatization refers to the transfer of any government function to the private sector - including governmental functions like revenue collection and law enforcement.”

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Beat Privatization

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  1. Beat Privatization v2-VL.ppt Beat Privatization With Peacetime organizing

  2. What do we know about privatization? • “…privatization refers to the transfer of any government function to the private sector - including governmental functions like revenue collection and law enforcement.” • -Wikipedia

  3. The extent of the threat – K-12 • % of U.S. K-12 school districts with some privatization Source: NEA ESP Member Surveys: 2002 and 2007

  4. The extent of the threat - lately • What’s been happening since the deep recession started a few years ago? Source: Michigan Education Association

  5. The extent of the threat – Higher Ed • % of Higher Ed institutions that had some privatization Source: NEA ESP Member Surveys2007

  6. ESP privatization comes in different packages • Selected services- ongoing or one-time • Management only • Total contracting out

  7. Some major players • Transportation: First Student – subsidiary of First Group, plc (based in Great Britain), $9.52 billion in sales • Food service: Sodexo, Inc. – subsidiary of Sodexo (based in France), $19.96 billion in salesChartwells – subsidiary of Compass Group, plc (based in Great Britain),  $21.40 billion in sales • Custodial/maintenance: Aramark (based in US), $12.30 billion in sales

  8. Beyond our ESP jobs – in schools • Other services - health, speech, special education, etc. • Vouchers, charter schools

  9. Beyond our ESP jobs - Other govt. services • Parking (Chicago) • Toll roads • Prisons - Corrections Corporation of America

  10. Why do they do it?- Cost • Privateers always say they’re going to save money. Why is this often not true?

  11. Why do they do it?- Management issues • Reduce management workload, avoid dealing with in-house problems

  12. Why do they do it?- There’s $$ to be made! • Huge companies are involved • Favoritism/nepotism/corruption

  13. Why do they do it?- To weaken us! • The privatization movement is driven by anti-government, anti-union, anti-public employee ideology

  14. Why is privatization a bad idea? • Our jobs • Impact on the quality of education – we are essential parts of one education workforce that is serving the whole child • Loss of accountability and control, dependency on the contractors • Corruption • Cost

  15. When do we start to fight privatization? • The Privatization Continuum No hint of privatization (prevention) Investigation (studies, proposals) Complete privatization (you’re fired!)

  16. When do we get involved? • Be proactive – inoculate against the privateers! • Call your UniServ Director right away. Don’t wait until they say “We’re going to privatize you!”

  17. Peacetime organizing- crafting our message

  18. We have power and we can use it • We live here • We work here • We vote here Organize!

  19. Using our power – electoral approaches • One of the best ways to protect ourselves from privatization is to elect school Board members who understand privatization’s dangers and who will support us. • The same is true for state legislators.

  20. Using our power – bargaining approaches • Depending on your state’s bargaining laws, it may be possible to negotiate prohibitions against contracting out, or protections for employees if jobs are contracted out. • It’s a lot easier to bargain good contract language before there’s a privatization threat.

  21. Using our power – legislative/regulatory approaches • WA and IL have laws requiring privateers to provide comparable benefits - these have been very effective • Some states give unions the right to bid on contracts • Some other state and municipal approaches: • Prohibit corporate criminals from contracting • Require substantial savings • Require thorough and accurate cost comparisons • Require specific conditions, such as an economic impact analysis • Living wage requirements

  22. Organize! Water Privatization protest, Cochabamba, Bolivia Madison, WI, 2-15-11

  23. Presented by

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