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Union leaders tell Duval board custodial contractor underdelivering, electricians flag code violations in school renovations
Summary
Representatives of employee groups told the board HES custodial services are understaffed and underpaid, and IBEW raised National Electrical Code violations at recent school renovation work, calling for stronger oversight and contractor accountability.
Designated employee organization representatives used their allotted time during the June 3 meeting to raise contract performance and safety concerns about facilities and contracted services.
Wendell Brown, introduced as president of ASME, criticized the district’s custodial contractor, HES, and said the contractor remains unable to hire and retain enough custodial staff to meet district needs. Brown told trustees the current HES contract is valued at $34,357,633 and said some workers remain paid at minimum wage levels: “They are still only making $13 an hour after being with the company…for 15 to 20 years,” he said, and described recurring payroll and overtime payment problems, shortages of cleaning supplies and insufficient personal protective equipment.
Frank DeLong, chair of IBEW Local 177, presented photos and a written estimate arguing renovation work in a Westside High School classroom violated the National Electrical Code. DeLong said newly installed cabinets covered junction boxes, conduit lacked required plastic bushings and a ceiling-mounted power installation relied on extension cords and power strips instead of proper outlet wiring. He compared the contractor’s months-long timetable to IBEW’s estimate that the electrical portion of the work could be completed in a week if properly staffed.
Both unions urged the board to require stronger contractor oversight, better staffing and more rigorous enforcement of contract specifications. DeLong recommended the district either withhold work from non‑compliant contractors or tighten contract renewal terms to ensure vendors have sufficient crews and trade‑qualified personnel.
Ending: Trustees did not take an immediate vote on contracting changes at the June 3 meeting. The comments put contractor performance and construction oversight on the board’s public record and signaled a likely follow-up with procurement and operations staff.
