Tony Overman/The Olympian
General Administration custodian Mary Sar of Tacoma vacuums beneath the portraits of past governors as she cleans the governor's reception area Friday at the Capitol.

Custodians come clean: 'It's just a good job'

FARHANAZ KERMALLI, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Monday, March 11, 2002

OLYMPIA -- For the 91 state workers in Custodial Services, tackling 3 million square feet of Capitol Campus buildings is all in a day's work.

That comes down to an average work rate of 4,500 square feet per hour.

Daunting numbers don't quash the enthusiasm Robin Atwood and Teang Taing have for their jobs.

Atwood has cleaned stairwells, restrooms and office areas at the state Department of Natural Resources building for two years.

The benefits, pay and weekends off are nice perks, she said.

"It's just a good job," Atwood said. "We have very supportive management, and I definitely have plans (to continue working here)."

"Unless something else comes along," she added jokingly.

For Taing, working supervisor at the General Administration building, enjoying her work comes naturally.

"I like cleaning," she said. "I enjoy helping to keep things clean and organized.

"I work with very good people. People in their offices, say, 'Don't work too hard.' "

Work is valued

Atwood also said her work has not gone unnoticed.

"The people I work with, in their building, they seem to appreciate (my work)," she said. "They're very polite. It's a great atmosphere."

One year ago, starting times for night custodians moved from 5 p.m. to 2 p.m., a shift that improved the work environment, said Jim Burnson, custodial operations manager.

"It's been beneficial having the 2 o'clock start, because then (state workers) can put a face to the people who are cleaning their offices," Burnson said.

Complaints about cleaning are now less frequent, Burnson said.

Cuts ahead

Burnson has trimmed his budget so lean times wouldn't force layoffs.

"I've been able to save some money through ordering different supplies, and saved probably about $250,000," he said.

But Burnson said one of three area supervisors will be cut -- along with some staff -- when the Capitol renovation project begins.

After taking on his position three years ago, Burnson has worked to lower the 6 percent annual turnover rate on his staff.

Burnson said custodial positions are often seen as a stepping stone to other positions in state employment, such as in maintenance or clerical work.

About half of the employees who leave each year retire.

"We've developed more of a career ladder within the unit, so (staff) have some chances to get pay raises," Burnson said.

The creation of working supervisor positions, with one assigned to each building, has provided promotion opportunities while easing some of Burnson's daily supervision duties.

Despite the movement within his staff, Burnson said some custodians have been in these positions for 20 years or more.

Fourteen years of work at the Capitol Campus has not tired Taing out yet.

"I've stuck with this job for a long time," Taing said.

"I'll be 65 in three years," she said. "If I wasn't retiring, I'd continue until I was 70."

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- Gov. Gary Locke

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Custodial Services by the numbers

- Custodians: 76

- Caretakers: 15

- Responsible for cleaning: 3 million square feet of building space

- How many caretakers does it take to change all the light bulbs on the Capitol Campus and Labor and Industries Building? Two

- Restrooms cleaned per day: 307

- Toilets and urinals cleaned per day: 1,042

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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