SEIU Local 1 custodians rally against CPS cuts outside South Loop school
Hundreds of custodians will be rallying against Chicago public schools' recent cuts in the South Loop on Monday morning.
SEIU Local 1, the union representing custodians, will be outside Jones Commercial College Prep in the Printers Row neighborhood.
The rally comes as thousands of CPS students head back to the classrooms.
The union said the recent layoffs have left schools understaffed, which is jeopardizing the cleanliness, health, and safety of the students and staff.
"Both Local 1 and SEIU Local 73 have together repeatedly made calls on CPS to immediately put a pause on this displacement of the Local 1 private custodians and meet with our two locals to ensure that any transition is thoughtful and fair," SEIU Local 73 Director Trumaine Reeves said."
Earlier this month, CPS announced that it had cut ties with private custodial contractors to help with its budget gap—leaving 1,200 custodians without work. However, they said they are planning to rehire 750 of those custodians directly as district staffers.
The district also laid off about 250 lunchroom workers and 100 crossing guards during the summer.
