CPS Lunchroom Workers Join Support Rally at Solidarity School

UNITE HERE Local 1 lunchroom workers join community organizations at rally to highlight inequalities in public schools

On Monday, September 10, 2012, approximately 25,000 members of the Chicago Teachers Union walked out on strike to continue their effort to create schools – and workplaces – that can provide the best education for our city’s children. UNITE HERE Local 1, which represents 3,200 lunchroom workers in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), stands strongly with the teachers. Though we are not on strike, we have been joining picket lines and rallies wherever possible.

Chicago Public School lunchroom workers joined Action Now at a press conference, rally, and march to show support for striking teachers. The press conference was held at one of Action Now’s solidarity schools, and they marched from the solidarity school to Penn Elementary.

Just like when the lunchroom workers of UNITE HERE Local 1 reached an agreement with CPS on their own union contract in April of this year which set a course for school meals in Chicago that incorporate the input of the lunchroom workers, CPS should show that same respect to its teachers. Their voice, experience, and vision for the future of education in Chicago should be considered as teachers are frontline caretakers of the kids, and they always hold the interests of all of our children close to their hearts.