The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) district will soon have 476 fewer custodians.

The 476 custodians, represented by SEIU* Local 1 and employed by Aramark subcontractors, will be let go at the end of September, a school district official told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The expected layoffs follow a $260 million agreement reached earlier this year between CPS and contractor Aramark for custodial work. Some principals have raised concerns about the tidiness at schools since the Aramark contract.

Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd), who is running for Chicago mayor, blasted the plan to layoff the custodial staff, calling the move “a continuation of the policy to do away with union workers."

“I’m a little taken a back by the approach,” the alderman told the newspaper on Sunday.

“We on the progressive caucus are looking at how we can stand up for these workers . . . they will face problems dealing with mortgages, rent, paying for food and health care,” Fioretti added. “CPS has a privatization agenda that we should stop at this point.”

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*The SEIU Illinois Council sponsors this website.