The march was called by Service Employees International Union Local 46, which represents 1,500 custodians who work in the Chicago public schools but are employed by private contractors. The union is demanding the Board of Education rebid all custodial contracts to allow for better wages and continued health coverage for the workers' families.

Little said he made $11.85 per hour before 1996, when the Board of Education first contracted out custodial work. Little was one who kept on working, but his wage dropped to $7.25 per hour. Today, most of the contract custodians make around $8.50 per hour. In addition, the union warns that the contractors are preparing to eliminate health-care coverage for dependents of the workers.

SEIU members voted to authorize a strike in December 1999, though the union is still trying to negotiate a settlement. The March 12 rally was called to coincide with the AFL-CIO Working Women's Conference held here March 11–12. About a dozen conference participants joined the demonstration as the custodians made their way chanting and rallying through downtown Chicago to the Board of Education headquarters.

Harvey McArthur is a meat packer and member of United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 100.  
 
 
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