Custodian Engineers: We put children first
School Custodian Engineers are responsible for the operation of most New York City Department of Education buildings. We operate the heating, cooling and physical plants. We clean and perform minor maintenance of the entire building and grounds. We are dedicated professionals whose goal is to deliver high quality, efficient and accountable services to all school children in our care. The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 891, has been taking care of New York City school buildings, along with the children and adult occupants, for more than 100 years.
We live and work in the communities we represent. When there’s is a problem at one of our schools, it affects not only our professional lives, but our personal lives as well. We are responsible for our buildings 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We take great pride in performing our jobs in the most cost-effective manner possible, thereby allowing excess money to be funneled back into the classroom where it will benefit all public school children.
Our Goal
By exercising the greatest caution and economic efficiency, School Custodian Engineers are the first line of defense against any unsafe situations that could jeopardize our children. Local 891 was formally organized in 1924. Our union has more than 850 skilled men and women members. We are constantly striving to improve our skills to better serve the children and school communities. A good example of this is our union’s training programs. Every one of our members has been trained in safe boiler operation, fire safety, and indoor air quality, at a minimum.
Recently, we were commended for our efforts during and after the September 11th tragedy. Our members kept the needed emergency buildings in continuous operation throughout that devastating time, supplying all necessary services at no salary cost to anyone.
Local 891 is dedicated to the fact that all children deserve a safe environment in which to learn.School Custodian Enginners-together with an enlightened school community – will continue to embrace the goal of delivering high quality, efficient and accountable services to every child in our school system.
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 891, have been taking care of New York City school buildings, along with the children and adult occupants, for more than 100 years.