There are materials out there, some of which you may already know about. The Public Employees Department of the AFL-CIO publishes a booklet entitled "The Human Cost of Contracting Out." I think it cost $3.00. You can reach them at
Public Employees Department, AFL-CIO
815 Sixteenth Street, NW Suite 308
Washington DC 20006or call 202-393-2820
AFGE has a couple of nice booklets on contracting out:
AFGE Local Activist's Guidebook to Contracting OutHow To Stop Contracting Out
Call Field Services for a copy. I don't know what AFGE's policy is on making this publication available for non-AFGE representatives inasmuch as it was prepared for internal use. But, for those who are not associated with AFGE, it might still have some benefit. You might try 202-639-6406 to see if they'll make these publications available for a small fee.
Robert Hebdon at Cornell University wrote "The Perils of Privatization." I called the University and they promised to send me a copy. I believe Bob is doing research in Canada right now; but he logs on to publabor and could be a valuable resource on the subject <rphl@cornell.edu>
Ellen Dannin from California Western School of Law is writing a "white paper" on privatization and, from the initial drafts, it looks like it'll hit the nail on the head. She'll tell us about it on publabor, I'm sure <edanin@cwsl.edu>
Drew Mendelson from SEIU Local 1000 in Sacremento has posted on publabor that his local of California State Employees has a task force on privatization and contracting out. They also have a white paper on the subject: Selling California Out: The Case Against Contracting Out." If Drew is listening, thanks for sending me the copy! <71112.145@coompuserve.com>
I'm sure ther are others who've contributed to the debate and have information available and I trust I haven't slighted anyone by leaving them out.
As you may know, AFGE has a General Committee level subcommittee researching the subject and preparing a strategy for dealing with contracting out work at the Social Security Administration. Our recommendations will be out shortly.
Warren Fretwell
AFGE Local 3342
PO Box 7247
Syracuse New York 13261-7247
315-448-0766 FAX 315-448-0767
afn23054@freenet.ufl.edu