School cafeteria workers joining fight for $15 an hour

The unionized workers in five N.J. districts say a strike is not out of the question.

NEWARK -- They are joining fast food, airport, and thousands of other workers in what has become known as the "fight for $15."

School cafeteria workers are the latest group to demand $15 an hour pay, which representatives from their 32BJ food service workers union say would be a significant jump from the $9 to $13 an hour most of them make now.

Negotiations started this week for the first master contract between cafeteria workers in five New Jersey school districts - Orange, Hackensack, North Brunswick, South Brunswick, and Woodbridge - and one in Stroudsburg, Penn., and Chartwells, the contract food service provider that employs them, the union announced.

"It's a public fight," said Kevin Brown, 32BJ Vice President and NJ State Director.

Newark jumps on $15 wage band wagon

The group, he said, is planning a rally in Essex County next month. And, though the negotiating workers plan to be in their cafeterias when school starts in September, they may not stay there.

"There is always the possibility of a strike," Brown said. "But, that would be our last resort."

Brown said the workers are willing to discuss phased-in raises similar to those that have been implemented in other industries.

Gene Sanchez, the regional vice president at Chartwells, said the company is willing to work with its employees.

"We have enjoyed a positive relationship with SEIU 32BJ NJ Region for over 16 years and appreciate all they do especially now when welcoming students back to school," Sanchez said in a statement to NJ Advance Media.

"We respect their position, and as we continue scheduled negotiations, we are committed to a collaborative and productive process."

According to Brown, whose union represents workers employed by seven major school food services contractors like Chartwells, about 70 percent of the schools in New Jersey contract out food service responsibilities. The Chartwells employees are the first to engage in bargaining for $15 an hour on such a large scale, Brown said.

But, he thinks those who works for other similar companies will soon follow suit. Most of the thousands of cafeteria workers in New Jersey make less than $20,000 a year, he said.

"I take pride in my job because I know I am there for students--providing nourishment and encouragement," said Leslie Williams, a food service worker in the Orange School District.

"But I don't make enough money to feed my own family.  Bargaining for a new four year contract will give me and hundreds of other food service workers the opportunity to fight for a living wage and good benefits so we can continue to keep doing the job we love and also provide for our families."