New Haven Cafeteria Workers Picket Board Of Education

New Haven, CT — This afternoon, dozens of New Haven Public Schools cafeteria workers rallied outside the Board of Education on Meadow Street, calling on Superintendent Madeline Negrón to settle a fair contract. Represented by Local 217-UNITE HERE!, these essential workers have been without a contract since June, as wages continue to lag behind rising costs of living.

“Cafeteria workers in New Haven Public Schools serve millions of meals each year to New Haven’s children and have been working without a contract since June,” said Josh Stanley, Secretary–Treasurer of Local 217–UNITE HERE. “Like many New Haven residents, cafeteria workers’ wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living, and our members are worse off economically now than they were before COVID. We’ve recently started to make some progress on getting negotiations started, but today we sent a message to Superintendent Negrón that it’s time for her to get much more serious about settling a fair contract that shows our city’s essential workers the respect they deserve.”

Cafeteria workers provide vital services to the city’s school children, preparing and serving nutritious meals to students every day. Jasanea Hernandez, a 20+ year veteran of New Haven Public Schools’ food service department, emphasized the impact workers like her make every day, “I’m proud of my decades of service, commitment, and dedication to providing our children with nutritious meals that fuel their minds and bodies for academic success. My children also attend New Haven Public Schools. Myself and my coworkers are deeply invested in the education and well-being of the children we serve every day. Yet, we are facing economic challenges that can no longer be ignored. We need a contract that reflects the hard work and dedication we put into our roles every day. A fair contract will also send a powerful message to our students about the value of hard work and dedication.”

The picket line highlighted the urgent need for Superintendent Negrón to commit to a contract that addresses wage stagnation and shows respect for the important work performed by food service workers. The picket line wrapped up as the crowd chanted, “We’ll be back! We’ll be back!” showing the resolve of these workers to keep up the fight until they win a contract they deserve.  

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Local 217–UNITE HERE represents over 2,500 hard-working hotel, school cafeteria, and corporate cafeteria workers throughout Connecticut.