Board rejects Prop J bids to privatize janitorial and hospital security services after heated budget and labor debate

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on July 16 rejected two resolutions asking the board to concur with the controller's certification that certain city services could be contracted out under Proposition J, voting down item 21 (janitorial services at 875 Stevenson) and item 22 (security services at San Francisco General Hospital, Laguna Honda Hospital and city clinics).

The votes came after a contentious debate tying the contracting proposals to larger budget pressures, sheriff staffing needs and union concessions. Supervisor McGoldrick, whose office introduced the items, said the janitorial proposal affected five positions and represented a net savings for the city: “This is the only private building that we rent out where we do not actually contract our custodial services. This is a net savings of $110,000,” he said, citing the mayor’s budget office analysis.

Supervisor Daley and several colleagues argued the savings…