Blue Island custodial staff, union tell council they face discrimination, understaffing and terminations

Multiple custodial employees for District 130 and a union representative told the Blue Island City Council on Sept. 24 that they have faced discrimination, discipline and terminations under the district’s recent administration and asked the council to intervene.

That testimony matters because the custodial staff say staffing and training gaps affect school cleanliness and student safety, and because the union says multiple terminations are already leading to arbitrations and lawsuits.

During the council’s public-comment period, employees recounted incidents they said show hostile treatment by supervisors and a refusal by district officials to bargain with or accommodate workers. Shay Marshall, director for schools municipalities division Local 73, said the district’s administration has barred staff from speaking Spanish during disciplinary or grievance…