Salem school cafeteria workers pan privatization plan

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_084234107.html

By Amanda McGregor
Staff writer

SALEM — More than a dozen school cafeteria workers — many wearing green AFSCME union T-shirts with gold lettering — gathered at last night's School Committee meeting and said they worry for their jobs if the school lunch program is privatized.

Three private companies have submitted proposals to take over the school food program, which has been running a deficit for several years. Superintendent William Cameron Jr. said the proposals will be reviewed, and no decisions have been made.

School lunch workers and a small group of parents have publicly opposed such a move, saying it will cut jobs, lower food quality and decrease personalized service for the students.

"All of us are very hardworking, and we know every kid — and their allergies," said Jyll Hudson, a "lunch lady" at Salem High School. "It's not our fault that there are financial problems in the city.

"I'm the (health) benefit holder in my family, so this is a huge, huge worry for me," said Hudson, an eight-year employee of the schools.

The school cafeteria workers, who are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, arrived early to last night's meeting at Collins Middle School and talked about changes to the lunch program that they believe created some of the problems.

FULL story at link.