Union To Hinsdale D86: Treat Us As Essential

DARIEN, IL – A union steward asked the Hinsdale High School District 86 board last week to treat custodial, maintenance, grounds and equipment employees like they were essential.

The district's five-year contract with the Service Employees International Union Local 73 expires at the end of June.

At Thursday's board meeting, Brad Warble, an employee who serves as Hinsdale Central's union steward, said the union thought it had made "great strides" with the last agreement, making the workers' pay "respectable."

"The school is really prepared to spend some money in many different areas," Warble said. "But when it comes to what we are to make and what our salaries are, I feel like we are on the lower spectrum."

During the pandemic, the district called the union's members essential.

"I think we need to be treated like we're essential," he said.

The board did not respond to Warble's statement, as is its practice for public comments.