Hundreds to be laid off after SMU ends cleaning contract is the reality facing many workers in Dallas and the wider North Texas area. More than 200 employees connected to cleaning and maintenance services at Southern Methodist University have received notice that their jobs will be affected after the university decided to end its janitorial services contract. The decision has triggered formal layoff filings, even as the university states that many workers may be able to continue working on campus under a new contractor.
The situation has drawn attention because it involves essential workers who help keep a large university running every day. It has also raised questions about how contract changes can disrupt jobs, even when the work itself continues without interruption.
SMU Ends Contract With ABM, Triggering Layoffs
The layoffs stem from SMU’s decision to end its cleaning services agreement with ABM Texas General Services, a company that provides janitorial, maintenance, landscaping, and other support services. According to filings made with the Texas Workforce Commission, ABM reported that 211 employees will be laid off effective March 12.
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The filing explains that the layoffs are due to an unforeseen business circumstance. SMU chose to move its janitorial work to a different vendor, which meant that ABM’s third-party contract was terminated. As a result, ABM stated it could no longer keep those positions active at the university locations.
The notice details that the layoffs will impact 201 cleaners, along with several other roles. These include two account managers, two administrative assistants, two project managers, two technicians, one district manager, and one lead. The filing also notes that the affected worksite is not represented by a union.
ABM stated that affected employees will be offered other employment opportunities within the company where possible. This could include positions at other locations or in different roles, depending on availability and worker eligibility.
ABM’s business includes providing cleaning and maintenance services to large institutions, schools, and businesses. Contract changes like this often require companies to issue formal layoff notices, even when similar jobs may still exist under a new employer.
SMU Says Workers May Continue Under New Contractor
In response to the layoff filings, SMU released a statement explaining that the university recently selected a new custodial services contractor as part of a routine contract transition. The university said that frontline custodial employees currently assigned to SMU will have the opportunity to apply to remain working on campus under the new contract.
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SMU explained that this opportunity will depend on meeting standard pre-employment requirements, such as background checks or other routine hiring steps. The university stressed that reports claiming all custodial jobs would be lost are not accurate.
According to SMU, the majority of custodial employees are eligible to continue working on the SMU campus, even though the company managing their employment will change. The university described the WARN notice filed by ABM as a standard legal step that occurs when a contract ends.
This clarification is important because it shows that while the layoffs are officially recorded, many workers may still be able to keep their daily routines and work locations if they are hired by the new contractor. However, they must still go through an application and screening process.
The situation highlights how workers can face uncertainty during transitions, even when institutions continue to need the same services, such as cleaning classrooms, offices, and public spaces.
Other North Texas Layoff Notices Filed Recently
The SMU-related layoffs are part of a broader pattern of job changes reported across North Texas in recent weeks. Several companies have filed mass layoff notices with the Texas Workforce Commission, affecting workers in logistics, retail supply, and hospitality.
One such filing came from FedEx, which reported that 89 courier employees in Tarrant County will be laid off effective March 2. The notice stated that FedEx is relocating much of its courier work within 50 miles of a facility located at 2001 Worldwide Drive in Fort Worth.
FedEx explained that the layoffs are connected to “Network 2.9,” a multi-year transformation plan announced in 2022. According to the filing, affected employees will be offered options such as transferring to new locations, receiving severance, or taking a leave of absence to pursue other opportunities within the company.
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In another case, S&S Activewear filed notice that it is closing a North Texas facility. The closure will lead to nearly 150 workers being laid off. The company supplies clothing for well-known brands, including Adidas, Champion, and Under Armour.
The hospitality sector has also been affected. A notice was filed stating that the Sheraton Arlington Hotel will permanently close. As a result, around 110 workers at the hotel are expected to be laid off.
Together, these filings show that many workers across North Texas are facing job changes due to business restructuring, facility closures, and contract transitions. The situation involving Southern Methodist University and ABM Texas General Services reflects how decisions made at an organizational level can have immediate effects on hundreds of workers, even when the services they provide remain essential.
