Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Grounds topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Teamsters, grounds staff urge rehiring to maintain campuses ahead of school year
Summary
Teamsters representatives and gardeners told the board that reductions in grounds staff—cut from 12 to 5—have degraded campus conditions and that rehiring groundskeepers is critical for safety, sanitation and community pride.
Teamsters representatives and lead gardening staff urged the board to rehire laid-off grounds employees, arguing layoffs have reduced the district's ability to maintain safe, sanitary and welcoming school campuses.
"The work didn't disappear, the expectations didn't change, our campuses still have to be safe, clean, and welcoming every single day," said Eric Martinez, who identified himself as a lead gardener responsible for all campuses east of Lake Avenue. Martinez told trustees the district lost years of institutional knowledge when staff were cut and asked the board to "bring these employees back" as an investment in students and the community.
A Teamsters shop steward for trades and painter urged the board to "seriously consider rehiring the gardeners throughout Pasadena Unified School District," citing sanitation and safety risks from neglected green space that can attract pests. Trustees and staff acknowledged the concern and said some rehiring discussions would be addressed in the context of the 45-day budget revision and categorical funding reviews.
