SEIU Local 73 and SEIU Local 1 representatives told the board Sept. 10 that Chicago Public Schools’ plan to insource custodial services will shrink the custodial workforce and strain school cleaning capacity.
Tremaine Reeves, director of the CPS division at SEIU Local 73, said the current workforce of close to 2,400 custodians will fall to about 1,900 on Sept. 30 under the district’s transition plan, leaving roughly 500 trained custodians without jobs. SEIU Local 1 Vice President Greg King said Local 1 members want three protections: a commitment from CPS to transition more Local 1 custodians into district roles; first right of refusal for existing custodians before outside hires; and preservation of pay and seniority for transferred custodians.
Why it matters: Union leaders warned that fewer custodians will reduce cleanliness and safety in schools and that rapid hiring timelines — with only a small share of custodians having cleared onboarding as of the meeting — risk disrupting the start of the school year.
CPS Chief Operating Officer Charles Mayfield told the board the district has received more than 1,000 applications from private custodians and has extended over 600 offers; about 200 candidates had completed onboarding steps by the Sept. 10 meeting. Mayfield said CPS is providing free background checks and drug tests to remove barriers and is prioritizing existing custodians for hiring. He also said CPS continues to negotiate on pay with Local 1 and will continue discussions with unions.
Board members asked for continuing engagement and monitoring of school cleanliness, and union leaders requested a broader first-right-of-refusal policy that would include workers represented by multiple locals. No new board policy or binding agreement was adopted at the meeting; district staff said conversations with labor would continue.