In appreciation of U-M custodians

The following letter to the editor was published in The University Record on Oct. 7, 2024:

To the editor,

Oct. 2 is National Custodian Appreciation Day. At the University of Michigan, over 1,100 unionized custodians from AFSCME Michigan, Local 1583 play a vital role in keeping our campus and hospital facilities running smoothly. Their hard work often goes unnoticed, but it’s essential for supporting academic life and quality health care.

The past few years have been tough, especially for front-line service workers like custodians. The pandemic showed us just how important clean spaces are, and rising living costs have only added to the challenges. Those who keep U-M going are facing more demands while trying to make ends meet.

The university has made great strides with Vision 2034 and Campus Plan 2050 — initiatives our union supports overall. Yet custodians and other service and maintenance staff are also crucial to U-M’s success. Currently, too many of us are working short-staffed and are in departments with high turnover rates. As someone who has held numerous union-represented positions at U-M, including over 15 years as a chef’s assistant in Student Life Dining, and where I currently serve as president of Local 1583 that, in addition to custodians, represents 90-plus critical service and maintenance titles such as mechanics, food service workers, cooks, transit coach operators, nurse aides, stock keepers, instrument processors, transporters and more, I know we can do better.

In January 2023, President Ono shared six workplace values: integrity, respect, inclusion, equity, diversity, and innovation. Today, we show our respect and appreciation for U-M’s custodians and all those who work behind the scenes. Early next year, our union will begin contract negotiations to tackle the challenges faced by our custodians and other essential service and maintenance members. We hope the administration, regents, and the broader U-M community will use this opportunity to work with us to boost the respect and recognition our work truly deserves. 

Angela Dameron, President 

AFSCME Local 1583 Executive Board and Stewards