Union warns CPS custodial workforce strained; calls for immediate plan and reprieve from discipline

SEIU Local 73’s executive vice president for the CPS division told the board that custodial staffing shortages have become acute in more than 50 schools, forcing custodians to cover double workloads and sometimes work unpaid overtime to meet expectations.

"Due to staffing shortages and the elimination of overtime, custodians are being asked to complete two sections instead of their original section ... This doubles their workload," Tmaine Reeves testified, asking the board for an immediate halt to the practice, a temporary reprieve from evaluations and disciplinary actions tied to unmet workload targets, and a written plan that documents priorities until staffing is restored.

Reeves said the union is collecting data from members and asked for a transparent, district-level plan that specifies which cleaning tasks will be prioritized when staffing is inadequate. She said the union will share its data with district staff to inform solutions.

District leadership did not offer a policy response at the time of the comment; they recognized the testimony and said staff would follow up after the meeting.