Dozens of lunchroom workers marched outside of Chicago Public Schools’ downtown headquarters Tuesday, demanding higher wages and fully-staffed kitchens amid contract negotiations with district officials.
More than 1,800 lunchroom attendants, cooks and porters staff the district — and about half regularly struggle to cover basic expenses like housing and food, according to their union, UNITE HERE Local 1.
“CPS lunchroom workers put their heart and soul into cooking and caring for Chicago’s children,” said Karen Kent, president of UNITE HERE Local 1, which represents hospitality workers across the city. “We know Chicago loves their lunchroom workers, but these workers can’t serve from an empty cup.”
Lunchroom workers prepare and serve 270,000 meals per day for the district’s 325,000 children, according to the union. Staffing levels have dropped significantly in recent years — down 16.8% from 2019. Workers said that drop has left kitchen staff consistently overworked and unpaid.
“You don’t get a break, and your body is just so, so exhausted,” said lunchroom worker Martha Mendiola, 66.
The union’s five-year contract expired on June 30 this year. Contract negotiations began on May 7, and meetings have continued about once per month, a district spokesperson said in a statement.
Cafeterias are staffed based on school size and participation in the district’s free meal program, according to CPS. District data shows that total enrollment has declined about 22% over the past two decades.
“These employees play a vital role in supporting our students’ health and well being by providing nutritionally-balanced meals,” the spokesperson said.
On West Madison Street, a sea of workers raised a large banner up to the glass doors of the district’s headquarters: “We feed Chicago’s children,” the sign said.
Attendees intended to deliver a report outlining workers’ financial hardship to the Board of Education. But the door was locked, prompting boos from the crowd.
According to the report, nearly two-thirds of CPS lunchroom workers rate their financial situation as “poor” or “very poor.” As of June, 72% made $18.42 or less per hour. The city’s current minimum wage for non-tipped workers is $16.60.
More than 90% of lunchroom workers are people of color, and 62% live on the South and West Sides of Chicago, the report said.
Alexis Camarena, 29, works a second job on weekends to provide for his family. Long, stressful shifts at Cesar Chavez Multicultural Academic Center in Back of the Yards have pulled him away from his family, including his 7-month-old daughter, he said.
“We gotta get this done for the children, but it’s hard work on all of us,” Camarena said, adjusting his navy CPS-logo polo shirt. “We’re being overworked for little pay, and it’s unfair.”
Across the sidewalk stood Jesse Hernandez, who held a hand-painted sign by his feet. The 51-year-old is in the process of moving: His McKinley Park apartment is raising rent, and his CPS wages barely cover basic living expenses. He also serves part-time at a restaurant.
“We feel like they don’t care. They’re not appreciative,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez has worked at Columbia Explorers Academy in Brighton Park for six years, and he’s received the same wage – about $18 hourly – for most of his tenure. The school’s kitchen is woefully understaffed, he added.
“There’s no time for a break,” he said. “We’re always running around.”
The next bargaining session between the union and the district is slated for Sept. 24.
“We look forward to reviewing their full set of proposals together and continuing productive discussions,” the CPS spokesperson said.