Council approves tentative contract for school custodial and cafeteria employees with insurance flexibility

The Portsmouth City Council on April 6 approved a tentative agreement covering school custodial and cafeteria employees that combines two bargaining units and includes language intended to preserve the city’s ability to seek comparable health insurance options in the future.

Andrew Holdzsworth, president of Local 1386 (AFSCME), urged council support, saying the contract protects members’ access to health insurance while allowing the city to shop for comparable coverage if necessary. City labor counsel drafted language with that flexibility in mind, officials said.

Council supporters emphasized the day-to-day role custodians and cafeteria workers play in schools and noted the contract is retroactive to July 1, 2025 and (as presented) runs to June 2028. Several councilors said the agreement was necessary to avoid an immediate loss of benefits for employees in the face of uncertainty surrounding SchoolCare, an existing provider; Councilor Begley said he would vote against the agreement due to ongoing concerns about SchoolCare’s viability.

City labor attorney Tom Clawson and the acting city attorney confirmed the contract includes bargaining provisions requiring the city to bargain in good faith about any replacement insurance; the city retains the ability to negotiate a replacement plan but would do so in coordination with the union.

Councilors voted to approve the agreement at the meeting; officials said retroactive pay would be processed once the contract is finalized. The city manager and union representatives said they will continue to work together on long-term insurance strategies.