Gatos sin alimento: los trabajadores de las cafeterías de CPS luchan por un salario digno
La lucha de los trabajadores de las cafeterías de las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago (CPS) por un salario justo ha tomado una nueva dimensión. Más de 100 trabajadores, mayoría cocineras y porteros, protestaron afuera de la sede del distrito escolar en el centro de la ciudad, exigiendo un nuevo contrato, sueldos más altos y cocinas con personal suficiente.
Irma García, una cocinera experimentada que ha trabajado para CPS durante 23 años, se convirtió en símbolo de esta lucha. Su salario es tan bajo que apenas puede alimentar a su propia familia. "He ido al banco de alimentos dos veces", dijo. "Los comestibles cuestan demasiado y a veces tengo que elegir entre comida o [pagar las] cuentas".
La protesta fue un llamado a la acción para los trabajadores del comedor, quienes están sindicados por Unite Here Local 1. Según el sindicato, los trabajadores del comedor son los empleados peor pagados de CPS, con una gran mayoría ganando $18.42 o menos por hora. El sueldo promedio de un trabajador de comedor es de $31,000 al año.
La falta de personal y mal remuneración han sido constantes quejas entre los trabajadores del comedor. Según el sindicato, había 3,240 trabajadores de comedores en 2005, pero hoy en día hay solo 1,805 trabajadores, una disminución del 44%. Los trabajadores dicen que las cocinas ya no están suficientemente dotadas de personal para preparar la mayoría de las comidas de cero.
El director de organización sindical, Patrick Griffin, destacó que los programas nutricionales en las escuelas son construidos sobre las espaldas de estos trabajadores. "Estos son programas construidos sobre las espaldas de nuestros trabajadores del comedor", dijo. "Sin embargo, estas personas aún navegan para alimentarse a sí mismas y a sus familias".
La protesta fue un recordatorio de que los trabajadores de las cafeterías de CPS no solo luchan por su salario, sino también por la dignidad y el respeto que merecen en el trabajo.
				
			La lucha de los trabajadores de las cafeterías de las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago (CPS) por un salario justo ha tomado una nueva dimensión. Más de 100 trabajadores, mayoría cocineras y porteros, protestaron afuera de la sede del distrito escolar en el centro de la ciudad, exigiendo un nuevo contrato, sueldos más altos y cocinas con personal suficiente.
Irma García, una cocinera experimentada que ha trabajado para CPS durante 23 años, se convirtió en símbolo de esta lucha. Su salario es tan bajo que apenas puede alimentar a su propia familia. "He ido al banco de alimentos dos veces", dijo. "Los comestibles cuestan demasiado y a veces tengo que elegir entre comida o [pagar las] cuentas".
La protesta fue un llamado a la acción para los trabajadores del comedor, quienes están sindicados por Unite Here Local 1. Según el sindicato, los trabajadores del comedor son los empleados peor pagados de CPS, con una gran mayoría ganando $18.42 o menos por hora. El sueldo promedio de un trabajador de comedor es de $31,000 al año.
La falta de personal y mal remuneración han sido constantes quejas entre los trabajadores del comedor. Según el sindicato, había 3,240 trabajadores de comedores en 2005, pero hoy en día hay solo 1,805 trabajadores, una disminución del 44%. Los trabajadores dicen que las cocinas ya no están suficientemente dotadas de personal para preparar la mayoría de las comidas de cero.
El director de organización sindical, Patrick Griffin, destacó que los programas nutricionales en las escuelas son construidos sobre las espaldas de estos trabajadores. "Estos son programas construidos sobre las espaldas de nuestros trabajadores del comedor", dijo. "Sin embargo, estas personas aún navegan para alimentarse a sí mismas y a sus familias".
La protesta fue un recordatorio de que los trabajadores de las cafeterías de CPS no solo luchan por su salario, sino también por la dignidad y el respeto que merecen en el trabajo.
 The situation with the cafe workers at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is really tough
 The situation with the cafe workers at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is really tough  . I mean, can you imagine having to choose between paying bills and buying food for your own family? It's unacceptable that they're struggling so much just to make ends meet
. I mean, can you imagine having to choose between paying bills and buying food for your own family? It's unacceptable that they're struggling so much just to make ends meet  .
. . They're not asking for the moon, just a living wage that allows them to support themselves and their loved ones
. They're not asking for the moon, just a living wage that allows them to support themselves and their loved ones  . It's also worrying to hear about the decline in workforce numbers over the years - what if they can't get enough staff to cover the demand?
. It's also worrying to hear about the decline in workforce numbers over the years - what if they can't get enough staff to cover the demand? 
 . Providing better salaries, more resources for the cafes, and support for the workers would be a huge step forward
. Providing better salaries, more resources for the cafes, and support for the workers would be a huge step forward  . We should be proud of our public servants who work hard every day to feed and educate our kids
. We should be proud of our public servants who work hard every day to feed and educate our kids  !
! This is so messed up
 This is so messed up  I mean, we're talking about people working in our schools, serving meals to our kids, and they can barely afford food for their own families? That's not just unfair, that's a clear example of income inequality
 I mean, we're talking about people working in our schools, serving meals to our kids, and they can barely afford food for their own families? That's not just unfair, that's a clear example of income inequality  . We need to talk about this in the context of the minimum wage and the cost of living in Chicago
. We need to talk about this in the context of the minimum wage and the cost of living in Chicago  . I mean, $18.42 an hour is not enough to get by, let alone raise a family. We need to ask ourselves, what's the value we're placing on these workers? Are they just seen as disposable labor
. I mean, $18.42 an hour is not enough to get by, let alone raise a family. We need to ask ourselves, what's the value we're placing on these workers? Are they just seen as disposable labor  ? This protest is a wake-up call for all of us, especially policymakers and business leaders
? This protest is a wake-up call for all of us, especially policymakers and business leaders  . We need to take action, not just talk about it. It's time for a change in our city, starting with fair wages and benefits for our school cafeteria workers
. We need to take action, not just talk about it. It's time for a change in our city, starting with fair wages and benefits for our school cafeteria workers 
 I'm so inspired by these CPS cafeteria workers who are fighting for a fair salary and better working conditions! It's heartbreaking to think that they're struggling to feed themselves and their families on just $18.42 an hour... like Irma García, who has been working there for 23 years
 I'm so inspired by these CPS cafeteria workers who are fighting for a fair salary and better working conditions! It's heartbreaking to think that they're struggling to feed themselves and their families on just $18.42 an hour... like Irma García, who has been working there for 23 years  . Can't wait to see what change comes from this movement!
. Can't wait to see what change comes from this movement! 
 . I mean, what kind of system allows this to happen? Where are we as a society when our own workers are struggling like this?
. I mean, what kind of system allows this to happen? Where are we as a society when our own workers are struggling like this? . 44% fewer workers now than in 2005? That's just staggering. What happened? Did we forget that these people have families too and need a living wage?
. 44% fewer workers now than in 2005? That's just staggering. What happened? Did we forget that these people have families too and need a living wage? .
. It's not just about the money, it's about dignity and respect in the workplace. I mean, if you're going to ask people to work hard every day, at least give them a decent salary and some decent working conditions
 It's not just about the money, it's about dignity and respect in the workplace. I mean, if you're going to ask people to work hard every day, at least give them a decent salary and some decent working conditions  . These workers are the backbone of the program, and yet they're treated like dirt.
. These workers are the backbone of the program, and yet they're treated like dirt.
 I'm still thinking about this protest and how it's like when I was working part-time at a food court in college... they barely paid us minimum wage too
 I'm still thinking about this protest and how it's like when I was working part-time at a food court in college... they barely paid us minimum wage too  . And the fact that there are only 1805 workers now? That's a huge drop from 2005
. And the fact that there are only 1805 workers now? That's a huge drop from 2005  . What if we made the system where every worker gets a basic wage regardless of their job? Just a thought...
. What if we made the system where every worker gets a basic wage regardless of their job? Just a thought... Don't get me wrong, I feel for these workers, but come on, let's not fall for that. I'm watching...
 Don't get me wrong, I feel for these workers, but come on, let's not fall for that. I'm watching... it's so sad to see workers struggling like this in the US. i mean, they're already working hard just to make ends meet, and now they're asking for a decent salary. $31k is barely enough to get by, let alone support a family. and what's even more frustrating is that the number of workers has decreased by 44% in just two decades!
 it's so sad to see workers struggling like this in the US. i mean, they're already working hard just to make ends meet, and now they're asking for a decent salary. $31k is barely enough to get by, let alone support a family. and what's even more frustrating is that the number of workers has decreased by 44% in just two decades!  what really gets me is that they're doing all this work behind the scenes, providing meals to thousands of kids every day, and yet they can't even feed themselves or their families.
 what really gets me is that they're doing all this work behind the scenes, providing meals to thousands of kids every day, and yet they can't even feed themselves or their families. 

 . i'm dead
. i'm dead  wen i think bout all the hard work dese ppl r doin & gettin paid so low its just not right
 wen i think bout all the hard work dese ppl r doin & gettin paid so low its just not right 

 . They're not just fighting for a raise, they're fighting for dignity and respect in their job. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to work in a field where you can see the impact of your labor every day?
. They're not just fighting for a raise, they're fighting for dignity and respect in their job. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to work in a field where you can see the impact of your labor every day?  . We can make a difference, we have to make a difference
. We can make a difference, we have to make a difference  . We should be supporting these workers and making sure they're treated with dignity
. We should be supporting these workers and making sure they're treated with dignity 