A union representing some Chicago Public Schools custodians has given notice that its workers may soon stop crossing picket lines in solidarity with the Chicago Teachers Union, whose members are on strike.

Service Employees International Union Local 1 today informed companies that employ about 1,800 of its members as custodial workers in city schools that those workers might go out on strike with teachers in 48 hours, according to Jerry Morrison, assistant to the president of SEIU Local 1.

There currently is no plan for the custodians to strike as a whole, but Morrison said several Local 1 members have indicated they want to be able to make the individual decision to honor the teachers' picket lines. "This notice allows them to do that without violating their contract," Morrison said.

"This move came after a town hall meeting with several hundred members, where many said they wanted to be able to act in solidarity with teachers," Morrison said.

School district officials said they had not yet been informed of the custodians' strike notice.

jebyrne@tribune.com