Juan Ramos has been a school custodian and union member for nearly 30 years. His father was a custodian before him, and Ramos spent summers helping his dad starting out when he was just fourteen-year-old. With that much experience under his utility belt, Ramos definitely has the know-how to protect students and educators from coronavirus, but only if he and his colleagues have the equipment and staff-power necessary to fight the deadly virus.

A Custodial Checklist

Tammy LaPlante, a high school custodian in Ashtabula, Ohio, offers a checklist of safety and cleanliness precautions as schools reopen.

• Training for custodians regarding the proper procedures for cleaning and disinfecting, especially if they will be using a disinfecting machine.
• Adequate supply of PPE as it requires changing your gloves and other PPE when moving from one task to another.
• Sanitizing stations at all the entrances being used so upon entering the buildings hands can be sanitized.
• Timetable for cleaning and disinfecting at regular intervals throughout the day and for the night custodians.
• All touchable areas need wiped down and disinfected to include restrooms, hallways, handrails, elevators, light switches, door handles and push bars, as well as nightly mopping of all floors.
• Doors should be left open for minimal risk of contamination.
• Discontinue use of drinking fountains if possible, but if they are used then more regular disinfecting needs to take place.
• Check CDC guidance on reopening.

NEA is currently working with partners and affiliates to develop guidance on schools reopening.

June 08, 2020

On June 5, Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law the AFSCME-backed bill HB 2455, which gives expands access to unemployment benefits and workers’ compensation coverage.

AFSCME members made hundreds of calls to legislators to urge passage of this bill in the General Assembly, and the union’s legislative team played a critical role in crafting and passing the legislation.

Unemployment Insurance

The new law removes the prohibition against non-instructional education employees receiving unemployment benefits when they are laid off during the 2020 summer months. As a result, thousands of AFSCME members who work for school districts and universities will be able to qualify for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits this summer so they can make ends meet for their families. And, through the end of July, UI benefits will be increased by $600/week because of a recent change in federal law.

In addition, the law provides over $2 billion in additional federal funding; an additional seven benefit weeks in the state extended benefit plan; and non-charging for employers’ COVID-19 related unemployment insurance experiences to help the economic recovery efforts.

Workers’ Compensation

The new law also amends the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act to expand access to benefits for first responders and frontline workers stricken with COVID-19. It presumes that essential workers who contract COVID-19 did so because of their employment and makes this standard retroactive to the start of the pandemic.

“These critical changes to our state laws protecting workers would not have been possible without the grassroots advocacy of AFSCME members and the leadership of our legislative staff team,” said Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch. “As AFSCME has for decades, our union will continue to fight for the rights of all workers during this unprecedented time.”

ESPs, I hope this finds you safe and healthy during this tumultuous time. Your ESP Council continues to work for you, to bring your concerns to the forefront so change and support can happen. On June 13th ESPs throughout Illinois are invited to the next ESP Council Zoom meeting from 10am-12pm. Please join us as we gather information on issues that ESPs are facing today. We need your input and leadership to guide us moving forward.

Please RSVP to Arlene Criglar at Arlene.Criglar@ieanea.org to receive the Zoom link.

If you are unable to attend you can still share your thoughts using to link below. We look forward to hearing from you. Your Voice, Your Union! #rESPect

https://ieaespcouncil.com/meet-yo…/contact-your-esp-council/

US SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM ILLINOIS

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all our lives in so many ways. All our lives will change in ways we don’t even know yet. But we cannot and will not just sit and wring our hands. We must plan, prepare, and mobilize to advocate for what we know students and educators need. IEA members are coming together with families, community leaders and other activists to demand that Congress act to ensure that students and communities Rise Together.

The coronavirus may have closed school buildings and campuses, but it didn’t stop educators from working to ensure their students learn, cope, and even get fed.

It has revealed how critical public schools and educators are to our students, communities and country.

We need you to RISE with us and TAKE ACTION

The coronavirus may have closed school buildings, but it has also revealed the determination and resolve of educators to help their students. The coronavirus has also exposed a great divide. Some students, especially those who are black, brown, and poor, have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, and unless we act, will face steeper obstacles in the future because of it.

The nation’s recovery from COVID-19 will run through our public schools, so we need to make sure we prioritize educators and students in coronavirus relief legislation.

ACTION 1: Write Congress