Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 644 of the acts of 1977 is hereby amended by striking out section 4 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 4. The employees of the school committee of the city of Somerville, who are assigned to the custodial service of the school buildings, and who, immediately prior to the effective date of this section held positions classified under chapter 31 of the General Laws are hereby transferred to the department of public works of the city of Somerville; every such transfer shall be without impairment of civil service status, seniority, retirement, and other rights of the employee, without interruption of his service within the meaning of said chapter 31, and without reduction in his compensation and salary grade, notwithstanding any change in his title or duties made as a result of such transfer.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.