Christina Lee, Head Photography Editor

Facing freezing temperatures and fierce winds, around 30 New Haven Public Schools food service workers and their allies formed a picket line outside the Board of Education building last week.  

Thursday afternoon’s picket demanded a fair contract for the service workers, represented by Local 217 UNITE HERE. New Haven Public Schools cafeteria workers, who serve nearly 20,000 students, have worked without a contract since it expired on June 30.

Union members said that delayed contract negotiations and an alleged lack of engagement from the Board of Education have impeded their ability to stay afloat financially in the wake of the rising cost of living. A rise in wages is at the core of their demands for a third contract — one they have been negotiating since April. 

“It’s been so long that we need to make it clear that we need to get a third contract,” said Josh Stanley GRD ’18,  secretary-treasurer of Local 217. “[Workers] remained in the poverty they were put into by the rate of inflation we’ve seen.”

The union initially hoped to achieve a “Christmas bump” with wage increases for its workers and their families, but negotiations were delayed for reasons unknown to union leaders. Now, the goal is to settle a new contract by Valentine’s Day. 

The New Haven Federation of Teachers stands in solidarity with Local 217 and the public school cafeteria workers, said union president Leslie Blatteau ’97. 

“Before our students get to our classrooms, they stop off in the cafeteria for breakfast,” Blatteau said. “Midday, they go to the cafeteria for lunch. The cafeteria workers who work in our schools provide crucial support for our students, and so we believe that they deserve to be paid a living wage.”

New Haven Public Schools spokesperson Justin Harmon said in a statement that the district “values the important work” of cafeteria workers and looks forward to a successor contract. 

In addition to higher wages, the group is hoping to secure more affordable healthcare for its workers, according to Stanley. 

A longtime employee and resident of New Haven, Jasanea Hernandez, who was present at Thursday’s picket, said that the lack of a contract has been “nerve-wracking” and strained her ability to support her family. 

“Nothing is going to change that we’re going to take care of our babies in the New Haven public schools,” said Hernandez. “I do what I do because I love it, but we need to be treated fairly. We need to feel secure.”

Drawing on their shared identity as parents whose children attend New Haven Public Schools, Hernandez hopes that Superintendent Madeline Negrón will recognize that her support is critical for cafeteria workers to continue serving the city’s children. 

The Board of Education is located on 54 Meadow St.