Anti-Privatization Task Force

The Anti-Privatization Task Force was established by the MTA to publicly oppose the privatization of all institutions of public education or any of their components. The task force will support locals in this work by providing resources and information on how to identify and fight privatization efforts, by providing sample anti-privatization language for member unions to include in future contracts and by working to support stronger anti-privatization legislation in Massachusetts.

The task force will share examples of successful strategies, tactics and victories against privatization and lessons learned from losses, and will suggest ways for members to fight back. Often pitched as a cost-effective way to provide public services, privatization instead is a way for profiteers to feed off public monies in public education and turn control of our public schools and facilities over to corporations. Examples include charter schools, receiverships at the preK-12 level, privatization of dormitories in higher education, packaged curriculum and elimination of departments, such as bookstores and print shops, transportation and cafeterias.

Please review our resources and contact task force members by filling out a form linked from the rail on the right of this page.

Co-Chairs: Joanna Gonsalves and Rich Levy

Staff Consultant: Miles Stern

Resources:

• Massachusetts Public Higher Education Anti-Privatization Project Report: Promises and Realities.
• Guide for Exposing and Organizing Against Privatization on Massachusetts Public Campuses.

PreK-12 resources:

• School Support Services Outsourcing: The Original Privatization of Education. (2024 NEA report, produced in partnership with In the Public Interest, a national nonprofit research and policy organization that examines public goods and services.)
• Privatization Does Not Pay. (Website with resources and strategies prepared by the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America.)

MTA:

• "Public higher education workers urge state investment to protect colleges and universities from federal attacks." (March 2025, MTA News)
• State Takeover Zones. (MTA webpage that describes efforts to fight against state takeover powers.)
• "Threat From the Right Intensifies." (2018 report for MTA on privatization and other threats to Massachusetts public education.)
• In The Public Interest Resource Guide. (Spring 2025, overview and resources provided by In The Public Interest.)
• Additional resources on privatization with reports and data. (Spring 2025, ITPI)