There are approximately 30 people responsible for making sure that over 30 locations spread across 126 acres of campus are cleaned and ready for the next round of classes the following morning. Armed with trash bins, mops, walkie talkies and more, they face a monumental task.
They come pulling up to classroom buildings just as students and faculty take leave for the night. Custodians are the unsung heroes of the campus, especially those who work on the night crew. “The majority of work happens at night,” night custodial supervisor Joseph Contreras said. “Whatever does not get done during the day, we do it.”
The Board of Trustees meeting that took place Wednesday, May 20 acknowledged the classified nightshift custodians for their services as part of an appreciation week. Members of this small group used the public comment to express their concerns.
One member raised issues such as under-staffing following employees taking early retirement in the midst of budget cuts, lack of help after hours, poor building maintenance and more. “We’re doing everything we can with the tools we have,” Custodian Leyna Bernal said.
The night custodians pull in eight-hour long shifts, starting from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., which is a direct attack to the body’s natural biology. According to UCLA Health, night shift workers have an increased chance of developing cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal disorders, which can affect mental health.
Working nights interrupts the circadian rhythm, which is the body’s natural, 24-hour clock that regulates biological processes, including sleep cycles and behaviors. Graveyard shifts are not for the faint of heart.
With recent staff layoffs and early retirement packages that reduced the nightly staff size from 45 to 30, custodians on shift are expected to cover more ground than before. The graveyard shifts deal with fewer people because of the fewer classes offered at night, but they are in charge of locking buildings and responding to medical emergencies involving individuals who are in the building when they are not supposed to.
Cadets often stay late, until about 11 p.m., to help patrol the grounds. There is less activity at night, but that slow pace can fluctuate with events like the FIFA World Cup or night performances. “Most calls for service are in the daytime. We like to concentrate on those times,” Sergeant Ruben Lopez said.
Some custodians have expressed to police they’d feel safer working in empty buildings. Custodians sometimes run into individuals who are not supposed to be in those buildings at that time. El Camino College is open to the public, which means anyone can enter at any time.
In one incident, a night custodian recounted how she had to flee into the Humanities Building at midnight after being chased down by an intoxicated man who was following her. “There’s always concerns, especially at night, where people are generally concerned when night time comes,” Lopez said.
Regardless, night custodians The Union spoke to like working nights. There is a sense of calm and peace on campus after hours. “When we’re short, it gets tough because it’s a lot of work, but other than that, it’s a good experience out here,” night custodian Larry Veazey, 62, who has worked for the college for 18 years, said.
If you happen to be on campus late at night, and you see a member of the night shift crew, thank them for their service.
