Chicago Public Schools' lunchroom workers, who are essential to feeding thousands of students every day, are struggling to make ends meet due to poverty wages. With more than 100 workers picketing outside the district's headquarters this week, they're demanding better pay and staffing levels.
Their leader, Irma Garcia, a cook at Lowell Elementary School in Humboldt Park, has worked for CPS for 23 years but says her wage is barely enough to feed her own family. "I've been to the food bank twice," she said. "Groceries cost too much that sometimes I must choose between food or bills." The union representing the workers claims they're paid so low that many make less than $18.42 an hour, with some entry-level workers receiving minimum wage.
The average salary for a lunchroom worker is around $31,000 per year, but this works out to just over $5 an hour, given the 35-hour workweek during the school year. This is a far cry from what many would consider a livable wage in one of America's most expensive cities.
CPS officials claim they recognize the vital role lunchroom staff play in their schools, providing nutritious meals and creating a welcoming environment for students. However, this recognition seems to be just that – words on paper – as workers struggle to afford basic necessities, including food.
The union has reported that nearly half of its members said they struggle to make ends meet in the last three months. The problem is not new; staffing levels have been reduced over the years, with the number of lunchroom workers decreasing by 44% since 2005.
Last month, a survey found that 67% of these workers had trouble paying for food during the past three months alone. It's a stark contrast to the recent national awards CPS received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its nutritional program.
Workers like Michael Hopkins, a porter at Oscar DePriest Elementary School on Chicago's West Side, feel overworked and underpaid. "We don't get the respect we deserve," he said. "If I made the money I need, I'd be able to go to restaurants and not worry about my basic needs." He echoed sentiments of his colleagues: they want fair compensation for their work.
The CPS officials claim they plan to meet with the union on Tuesday to move closer to a final agreement that advances the district's objectives. For lunchroom workers like Garcia, Hopkins, and countless others, it's been too long – time is running out as hunger and uncertainty grip their lives.
Their leader, Irma Garcia, a cook at Lowell Elementary School in Humboldt Park, has worked for CPS for 23 years but says her wage is barely enough to feed her own family. "I've been to the food bank twice," she said. "Groceries cost too much that sometimes I must choose between food or bills." The union representing the workers claims they're paid so low that many make less than $18.42 an hour, with some entry-level workers receiving minimum wage.
The average salary for a lunchroom worker is around $31,000 per year, but this works out to just over $5 an hour, given the 35-hour workweek during the school year. This is a far cry from what many would consider a livable wage in one of America's most expensive cities.
CPS officials claim they recognize the vital role lunchroom staff play in their schools, providing nutritious meals and creating a welcoming environment for students. However, this recognition seems to be just that – words on paper – as workers struggle to afford basic necessities, including food.
The union has reported that nearly half of its members said they struggle to make ends meet in the last three months. The problem is not new; staffing levels have been reduced over the years, with the number of lunchroom workers decreasing by 44% since 2005.
Last month, a survey found that 67% of these workers had trouble paying for food during the past three months alone. It's a stark contrast to the recent national awards CPS received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its nutritional program.
Workers like Michael Hopkins, a porter at Oscar DePriest Elementary School on Chicago's West Side, feel overworked and underpaid. "We don't get the respect we deserve," he said. "If I made the money I need, I'd be able to go to restaurants and not worry about my basic needs." He echoed sentiments of his colleagues: they want fair compensation for their work.
The CPS officials claim they plan to meet with the union on Tuesday to move closer to a final agreement that advances the district's objectives. For lunchroom workers like Garcia, Hopkins, and countless others, it's been too long – time is running out as hunger and uncertainty grip their lives.
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The lack of livable wages for Chicago Public Schools lunchroom workers is a harsh reality that affects many families in the city. It's heartbreaking to see essential workers struggling to make ends meet due to poverty wages. The union demands better pay and staffing levels, which CPS officials are willing to discuss. It's time for a change – fair compensation for hardworking individuals who deserve respect.
, how can we expect these people to care about our kids if they're struggling to feed themselves? $5 an hour is literally a joke, especially in chicago where the cost of living is through the roof. it's not like the cps officials are trying to help or anything, just giving empty promises and patting themselves on the back for winning some national awards 
. what's really going on is that they don't want to pay their workers a decent wage because it'll cut into their profits. and meanwhile, these workers are just trying to survive day by day, often having to choose between paying bills or buying food 
. it's disgusting and it needs to change ASAP.
I'm so tired of these teachers and staff getting shafted. Like, I get it, CPS wants to save money, but $5 an hour? That's not even enough for a decent meal, let alone rent. 
These workers are literally the backbone of the school system, providing meals that actually help kids learn, and yet they're treated like dirt. And don't even get me started on the food bank thing - it's just humiliating. 
The union is fighting for fair pay and staffing levels, but CPS is always like "we value our workers" with no action. 
. It's not just about money, though; it's about respect and dignity too 
. The union is fighting hard, and I hope they get the recognition and support they need to make some real change 
. Those workers are heroes, and we should be supporting them all the way! 
The workers are making like $5 an hour?! 
That's not even enough to cover a meal let alone feed a family. It's like they're asking for scraps from the food bank just to get by 
. I feel bad for them, man. They deserve so much better than this poverty wage 
. The union is fighting for fair pay and staffing levels, but it feels like no one's listening 
. We need change now! 
. The numbers are staggering - nearly half of these workers can't make ends meet, and 67% have trouble paying for food! That's just unacceptable 
.
. Let's hope those CPS officials are serious about making a change this time 
!
. They're basically saying "we know you're important" but not actually doing anything about it. And with a 44% reduction in staff since 2005? That's just cherry-picking 
. I mean, the stats show that nearly half of these workers are struggling to make ends meet, and you've got people who are literally having to choose between food or bills 
. It's not like they're asking for the moon here - $18 an hour is barely enough, especially when it comes to living in a city as expensive as Chicago 
. Time's up, CPS 
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. It's time for CPS to step up and give these workers the recognition they deserve 
they shoulda taken this seriously yrs ago 
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they're the ones who deserve respect for keeping thousands of kids fed every day. it's crazy that just last month they got an award for their nutrition program but workers are still struggling 