Custodial and Maintenance Services

We're NEA ESPs and Proud of It!

About Us and Our Work

• 85% of us work in school buildings: 35% at the preschool, kindergarten, or elementary level; 21% in middle schools; and 27% in high schools.
  
• 81% have responsibility for school safety, and it is a primary responsibility for 54% of us.
  
• 93% of us work full time.
  
• 62% of us are male.
  
• On average, we have been NEA ESP members for 9.2 years.
  
• Our average age is 49.

We are committed: On average, we have been in the ESP field 11.2 years. 88% of us currently plan to stay in the ESP field, and 71% plan to stay in our current jobs until retirement.

We are many: Approximately 350,000 custodial and maintenance services ESP work in the nation's K-12 public schools, making up 16% of the U.S. K-12 ESP work force.

We have specific job requirements:

• 50% of us had to meet specific requirements to get our jobs. 20% of us have special licenses, and 20% have special certificates.
  
• 20% of us must take classes or examinations on a regular basis to keep our jobs.
  
• 35% of us have completed at least some college.

Our Workplace Conditions and Issues

We need better job guidelines. 38% of us have no job description at all. For those of us who do have a job description, 32% feel it does not accurately describe the amount of work we do. 62% of us have no say about our job descriptions, and 64% often or sometimes must perform work outside our job descriptions.

We're worried about privatization and the contracting out of custodial services. As school districts seek to control expenses, our workloads are increasing, as are inequities among workers in our job group. We're concerned about safety. We work with hazardous chemicals, on ladders and staging, and with electrical hazards.

We also need training to keep up with new equipment and work methods, with new chemicals, and with changing government regulations.

We are responsible for the security of students, which means that we often deal with troubled students.

We enjoy our benefits and the freedom to decide how to do our jobs. We would like more opportunities for promotion, advancement, and professional development.

How Can We Help Restore Public Confidence in Public Education? Custodial and Maintenance Services Members Speak Out:

"Strive to provide a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children to learn in."

"As a custodian, I take pride in my work and hope it reflects on the public that enters my school."

"It is important for everyone to work together. Both teachers and people in noninstructional positions must help make school the best environment for learning possible!"

Custodial and Maintenance Services ESPs: Who We Are

• Building and Grounds Maintenance Staff
• Custodians and Housekeepers
• Mechanics (except vehicle) and Repairers
• Laborers, Helpers, and Warehouse Personnel
• Nonmanagerial Crew Leaders