Larry Michael on the job

You were washing windows outside the Illini Union Bookstore last week ...
do you do that throughout campus?
I'm actually an employee of the Illini Union. When they opened the new
bookstore I got a full-time job there. I have the basement, first and
second floors of the bookstore. The top three floors are [serviced by] O&M
(Operation and Maintenance Division).

So, even though you have the same title as many O&M employees, you're not
at all affiliated with O&M?
Right. The thing that makes it different is that the Illini Union is a
separate organization, or an independent agency as they call it. By being a
separate organization, the Illini Union hires its own staff.

Are other building service workers assigned to the bookstore?
No, it's just me.

What duties are you responsible for?
The basic cleaning. I go through the building and make the rounds ...
emptying the trash, sweeping, picking up around outside and dock area.

How often do you wash the windows?
Basically, as needed. Since it's retail, it needs to be done more often
than at other campus buildings. I was out there washing windows in
February.

You were using a special tool to reach the high spots. What's it called?
It's called a Tucker pole. It's got an extension that can go up to 45 feet,
but I only go up to 30 since I just do the first two floors. Three through
five are O&M; they come with a high lift and do those floors.

How does the Tucker pole work?
It attaches to a hose, and the water goes through a soap dispenser - we use
soap tablets. It's got a switch, so you can switch from soap to rinse.

It seems like one of those kinds of jobs that attracts attention. Do you
get a lot of people who stop to ask you about what you're doing?
I get a lot of requests from people who say, 'Why don't you come over to my
house and wash my windows?' And a lot of university employees ask me, 'When
are you going to come to my building?'

How long have you worked at the UI?
I've been a building service worker for over 18 years. When the bookstore
opened in August, I was assigned there; before that, I was at the Illini
Union the whole time.

What do you like best about the job?
I like working in the new building. I like it better over here because all
my bosses are at the other building! It gives me more of a sense of
independence ... you set your own schedule, make your own rounds.