So things are about to get intense at work. I am a head custodian at a local high school. I have worked for the district for two decades. There are a few things I have learned about this job.
Most people are clueless about the difference between a janitor and a custodian. A janitor just cleans. A custodian wears three hats. Janitor, minor maintenance, and security. Unofficially we wear many more, but those three are what we are paid to do.
There has never been an army of angry parents at a school board meeting demanding more custodians be hired. No, I mean ever. I mean in the history of the United States Of America. I am talking about the entire country. Ever.
When cuts are made, custodians are always cut first when budgets are tight.
We are always asked to take one for the team and promised that they will make it up to us next time.
When things go wrong in any situation, the guy at the bottom of the proverbial ladder will be blamed. The people who control the money, and created this situation, and could stop the problem, will never be blamed or attacked.
Right before the blue collar workers are to enter into contract negotiations, the school district will start talking about how tight money is. This starts about a year before the contract ends. Money is never tight whenever the suits in the district office get their raises.
We are about to go into negotiations. It’s going to get intense for all the reasons I mentioned above. Teachers are in the same boat we are. We love you teachers and believe you deserve better than what you are getting.
I know you parents will stand with the teachers and you totally should. In fact, many of us custodians have talked about standing with our amazing teaching staff as well.
But I now ask you parents and teachers a very important question. Are you ready to make history? Are you ready to do something they never saw coming?
THE QUESTION:
How many of you will stand with us custodians?
Please share this story and let everyone know. I can only offer my most sincere and humble thank you. We need you, seriously.