Clancy may seek alternative solution in custodian matter

LYNN – Six days after the Lynn Custodian’s Union, AFSCME Local 1736, rejected a proposed labor contract, Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. says the two sides have discussed the issues time and again, and he does not know where the negotiations will go from here.After 18 months of negotiations with the city on a new contract and one giant, controversial move of the custodians from the School Department to City Hall’s Inspectional Services Department, the union voted 77-21 to reject the latest contract proposal Tuesday, in a move that surprised those on the city side of the negotiations.While the union has indicated it will file for mediation in an effort to move closer to a deal, Clancy says he does not see much of a point in taking that step as the custodians and maintenance workers have made it clear that the two sides are still very far from a deal.”I got the notice (Monday) that says the union has rejected the vote and filed for mediation,” Clancy said. “I don’t see a great deal of purpose to it. Mediation is just another word for negotiation. All of the issues on both sides have been re-hashed over and over, and obviously the men and women that clean and maintain our school buildings have spoken. What else can I do?”With a difficult budget season on the horizon, Clancy said the city will look at all of its money saving options in every department, and admitted he was not sure what not having a contract in place for another fiscal year would mean to the city’s spending plan.”Obviously we are going to look at alternatives and see what other services will be provided at what cost,” he said. “This is not something that is limited to Lynn; but anywhere we can save some money we are going to have to try to. That is everywhere, the schools, the fire department, the police – it is going to be a difficult time.”One potential option for the city is looking elsewhere for custodial services if a contract is not reached soon, specifically privatizing the work with a company that has a set contract with the city.Clancy did not go as far as saying the city is looking at privatizing as an option, but did not deny the possibility either. As it stands, the two sides are so far apart, Clancy says the city must explore all of its options.”It seems like there is an impasse. These men and women have said they are unwilling to (come to an agreement), so something has to happen,” he said. “If we can’t get an agreement with the union, we are going to have to do something else.”The next step in the union’s battle with the city will come March 20, when the two sides come before a judge for a pre-trial hearing in Salem District Court. Local 1736 is taking the city to court in a continued effort to fight the decision to merge the custodians with Inspectional Services, which is believed to be a major sticking point in contract negotiations as well.Attempts to reach union president Mark Rafftery were unsuccessful Monday.