Custodians who have been working at UCI under an outside contractor will be eligible to become campus employees this spring. A hiring event scheduled for March 26 marks the conclusion of an insourcing process agreed to last October by university and union officials. “I want to welcome these associates to the campus family and thank all who participated in the detailed negotiations that made this day possible,” UCI Chancellor Michael Drake said. “Many of these custodians have worked at UCI for years represented by a variety of organizations, and it will be nice to have everyone under one roof.” Custodians still working on contract will be preferentially transitioned into 94 campus positions, pending successful completion of the University of California hiring process. As UCI employees, their salaries will be similar, but health insurance options, retirement benefits and sick leave are likely to be more favorable. They will also receive official UCI uniforms and ID cards. “We look forward to beginning this new chapter,” said Marc Gomez, assistant vice chancellor for facilities management and environmental health & safety. “With the insourcing of our custodial staff completed, we are able to focus more fully on our campus customers.”