Chicago Public Schools lunch workers block traffic in protest outside the Board of Education as contract negotiations stall

CHICAGO - Hundreds of Chicago Public Schools lunchroom workers rallied outside of the Board of Education Thursday, demanding higher pay as contract negotiations approach the one-year mark.

Clad in navy CPS uniforms, 25 workers linked arms and blocked traffic on Madison Street across from the district's downtown offices, sitting in silence before they were led away by police.

"I love my job, I love my students, my kids. But CPS is treating us like we don't matter," said Marian Gutierrez, a lunchroom attendant at Mitchell Elementary in West Town, who was cited and released by officers. "With the money I'm making, I can't keep up with my rent, my bills or food."

UNITE HERE Local 1 represents 1,800 lunchroom attendants, cooks and porters, who remain among the lowest-paid employees in the district. The union's four-year contract expired last June. Bargaining began in early May and has continued monthly.

Earlier this month, district officials proposed bringing in a federal mediator, and UNITE HERE agreed. Mediators act as neutral parties to help resolve impasses and are typically brought in to help avert a strike.

A CPS spokesperson said in a statement that the district is "committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement."

"CPS values our lunchroom employees' dedication and hard work and remains committed to working closely with these important team members who ensure our students receive free and nutritious meals each day," the spokesperson said.

UNITE HERE officials say the sticking points in negotiations are staffing levels and wages.

Over the past decade, the number of lunchroom attendants - who make up the bulk of kitchen staff - dropped about 39% from 1,140 to 700 this fall, according to the district's employee rosters.

Last summer, CPS also eliminated about 250 vacant kitchen positions to help plug its $734 million budget deficit. The district told families that it would simplify menus and serve fewer hot meals due to reduced staffing.

"We love our job, we love our children, but we can not continue like this," said Kimberly Penson, a cook at Greene Elementary School in McKinley Park and a 21-year veteran of CPS.

The average lunchroom attendant makes about $23,500, and the average porter makes $27,900. UNITE HERE leadership said they hope to bring members' salaries in line with those of other district support staff.

The latest contract for SEIU Local 73, which represents more than 13,000 support staff in CPS, brought its members' baseline salary to $40,000. Paraprofessionals and school-related personnel represented by the Chicago Teachers Union also have a wage floor of $40,000.

The CPS spokesperson noted that lunchroom workers do not work year-round, though there are opportunities to work during summer sessions. More than half work less than 8 hours per day. The district also faces financial constraints, with a projected budget deficit of at least $520 million next fiscal year.

Before marching to the Board of Education, workers gathered in Daley Plaza on Thursday afternoon, singing hymns, drumming and raising signs. A banner was stretched out before the crowd: "We feed Chicago's children." About a dozen police officers flanked the plaza.

"While they spend their days caring for Chicago's children and for these students, these same workers struggle to feed their own families due to inadequate pay," said Karen Kent, president of UNITE HERE Local 1, which represents hospitality workers across the city.

Later, the crowd chanted as the small group of lunchroom workers sat in the middle of Madison Street. Within minutes, Chicago police officers approached each worker individually, escorted them away and issued citations up the block.

"We're still in the fight," said Alexis Camarena, a cook at Cesar Chavez Multicultural Academic Center in Back of the Yards. "I was cooking chicken before I came here - about 500 chicken drumsticks - and then I came right here. It's that important to me."

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 9:52 PM.