Newtown Union Representation

Election Returns AFT Incumbent

On Thursday, February 22, a union representation election conducted by the Connecticut State Labor Board was held allowing custodians and maintenance employees in Newtown Schools to choose a union to represent them.

The Newtown Custodian and Maintenance Association, Local #3924, which has been the union representing the workers for many years in Newtown Schools, defeated the challenger, the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU), by a vote of 46 to 8. Local 3924 has in it ranks 56 custodians and maintenance workers who work for the Newtown Board of Education. UPSEU, a New York-based organization, represented by their staff person Wayne Gilbert, filed a labor board petition to raid Local 3924 from AFT Connecticut.      

Between late December and February 22 all of the members were informed of their options as a representation campaign ensued. The election enabled members to see differences in union performance. According to Local President Jesse Bailey, “We are thrilled about the solidarity our members showed in their support of AFT Connecticut.  As we all pulled together for this election we realized how great our union was at addressing our needs.” 

The union stands ready to start negotiations immediately over a successor contract and have so notified the Newtown Board of Education.  The local’s contract with the Board of Education expires on June 30, 2007.

AFT Connecticut is a union of professionals representing more than 28,000 educators, health professionals and public employees in 100 local unions all across Connecticut and is affiliated with the 1.3 million-member union American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO nationally.