The movement of the developmentally disabled and mentally ill from state institutions to privately operated group homes is now almost complete. While espousing the promise of better government, the proponents of privatization have other motives. Some are driven by an anti-public employee ideology while others find it politically expedient to reduce personnel costs to provide tax cuts. Many officials promote privatization to avoid responsibility for managing public programs or facilities. The privatization of public services presents challenges to workers and the union.
Workers are concerned with continuity of employment, benefits, pay and representation.
For the union, issues include continued recognition, private sector representation, first contract campaigns, and the union s strategic planning. Changes in the political and economic environment mean that we must change our orientation from a focus on the public sector to a focus on public services. The most serious effect of privatization is on the job security of the workers. Even where employees are given jobs with a contractor, there is no guarantee that the workers will hold on to their jobs, especially when the function is subject to a second round of competitive bidding. Where employees are hired by contractors, they still face the loss of civil service protection which includes removal only for cause and provides bumping rights in the event of layoff.