The private company that manages custodial services for Chicago Public Schools is laying off nearly 500 employees by the end of the month. The news comes after a survey of CPS principals showed many school leaders are unhappy with the contractor’s service.
It was recently reported that since CPS entered into a contract worth more than $250 million with Aramark in March, schools have gotten filthier and rely on less janitorial staff. This has led to more rodents, dirt and garbage buildup, principals report. School leaders shared these concerns through a survey by Chicago Principals and Administrators Association’s AAPLE activist group. The results made national headlines.
The laid-off workers are all Aramark subcontractors, not CPS workers, a CPS representative told the Chicago Tribune.
After its survey, AAPLE said it would try to get CPS to rescind or change its contract with Aramark. But CPS has not said how or if the survey or layoffs will affect the district’s relationship with Aramark.
