Hundreds of Detroit Public School Community District Custodians Fight and Win Hazard Pay

Custodians work hard to keep students, teachers safe as schools begin to reopen 

DETROIT – Last month, because they came together and fought, nearly 600 SEIU Local 1 custodians who help clean Detroit Public Schools won hazard pay for the essential work that they’ve been doing protecting the public throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Custodians came together with their coworkers to demand the pay they needed to support their families, sending a message to their employers, the school board and local elected officials. 

“Hazard pay makes a huge difference in helping us support our families,” said DPSCD Custodian Doretha Brown. “We’re just as important as any other essential workers and we’re putting ourselves at risk every time we walk out the door. Custodians are the front line. We make sure that students and teachers don’t get sick.”

These contracted custodians, members of SEIU Local 1, have been critical, working on the front lines to ensure that everyone entering school buildings are protected. In the face of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, while many people have been able to work from home, they have continued to go into work, putting their health and safety at risk to keep schools safe and clean for staff, teachers and students.  

Even with the COVID-19 vaccine in distribution, with Detroit Public Schools set to reopen on Monday, March 8, these custodians will continue to be essential to reduce the spread of the deadly virus.