University of Miami Custodians Demand Job Vacancies Be Filled

University custodians have been in the news, seeking higher wages and other compensation for the valuable work they do to keep campuses clean. University of Miami (UM) custodians were the latest to rally, demanding that their employer fill janitorial vacancies so the current staff will no longer be overworked, The Miami Hurricane reports.

The custodians, who work for ABM and are members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), rallied near the university’s medical center this month to demand that 30-40 janitorial vacancies be filled. They say the campus custodian shortage has resulted in unmanageable workloads without a pay increase.

Many of the protestors said they are pushing for more student and faculty involvement in these rallies in the hopes the university will encourage their employers to fill the open jobs.

“I think it’s important that we support our community, especially the people who take such great care of our school,” said UM student Emily Bosworth. “It’s important for the students who benefit from these workers to be here supporting them.”