Blue Island-area school district temporary cleanup measures after custodial layoffs prompts concerns
CRESTWOOD, Ill. (WLS) -- A Cook County school district is relying on what it calls "temporary measures" after laying off its entire custodial staff last month, drawing criticism from the workers' union and concerns from some parents about how schools are being maintained during the transition.
Last month, the District 130 Board of Education voted to lay off all 31 custodians serving schools in Blue Island, Robbins, Alsip and Crestwood. A new custodial services provider is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
Until then, district officials say they have implemented temporary arrangements to maintain school operations.
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One of the laid-off custodians, Noah Cavazos, said the decision has been difficult for workers who spent years caring for district buildings.
"No one ever hears our voices but we still just every day come in and do what we're supposed to do for the job for the sake of the kids," Cavazos said.
Now on paid leave, Cavazos said he does not believe the district's new custodial service provider can replace the experience and commitment of the former staff.
"Just watching my unit get trashed like we are bad employees and that is not the case," Cavazos said, when asked about the most frustrating part of the layoffs.
The custodians' union, SEIU Local 73, said workers arrived one morning in August and found they could no longer access their workplaces.
"They were stunned, incredibly surprised. Our 6 o'clock folks showed up with their keycards and they couldn't scan in," said Doug Taylor, a field organizer with SEIU Local 73.
District officials said in a statement that "the District has temporary measures in place until the new custodial services provider begins."
The union and some parents contend those measures have included teachers helping with cleaning tasks and, in some cases, students being asked to clean up after themselves.
Parent Mary Sklom said she spoke with her children about what was happening at school.
"I was like, oh, did you get asked to, uh, clean down. Did you get asked to clean anything? They said that she's like, yeah, they asked us to clean up after ourselves and asked us to wash our desk. And I'm like, okay, I'm like, well, obviously, I'm glad you helped your teacher. I just, you know, like, of course, I want my children helping their teacher. But yes, they were definitely asked," Sklom said.
Taylor said he also observed administrators performing cleanup duties.
"When I visited, we have principals who are, instead of doing their principal's duties, they are picking up trash. I saw that this morning. And so they are taking educational staff to do the custodial work," he said.
The district maintains students are not being asked to volunteer to clean and that teachers did have the option to help with limited cleaning at the custodial rate.
In a statement, district officials said, "Teachers are not required to take on custodial duties, and students are not being used to replace custodial staff. The District remains responsible for providing custodial services and maintaining our schools."
Cavazos said the dispute is about more than the jobs that were lost.
"Just seeing a couple of my older custodians that I've worked with and that have taught me things in the school that have known the buildings and that care for and have a passion for their job just get thrown to the side like they don't mean anything," he said.
SEIU Local 73 has filed complaints with the state education board alleging the layoffs violated Illinois labor laws.
