Schools to Bring Back Custodians

Custodians laid off four years ago and replaced with non union workers have been asked to return by the Portland Public Schools district, school officials said.
The Service Employees International Union Local 503 challenged the layoffs, and the Oregon Supreme Court ruled last October the school district violated state law.
With no legal recourse left, the district is formally recalling the custodians, said Bob Lawrence, spokesman for Portland Public Schools.
If all the laid-off union workers choose to return, it could add $10 million to the district's $12 million custodial budget, according to an e-mail sent Thursday to school principals.
In addition, custodians may be entitled to back pay, an issue that has not been resolved.
School officials said they did not yet know how many of the recalled custodians will be available or will qualify to return to work.
—The Associated Press