When the Windham Board of Education announced its plan to outsource school foodservices out to a private, for-profit food services vendor, CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 members began mobilizing public support immediately to pressure school officials to reject it. Members spoke out at Board of Education meetings, shared their concerns with the local news media, and organized support among the unions representing the rest of the Windham Board of Education's employees.

The union members who provide food services in Windham's public schools are committed to provide a safe environment by serving the district's children healthy, nutritious meals every day -- and outside contractors are less accountable to the taxpayer and cut corners in food quality, nutrition and service. "When we pay good wages to members of our community, that money is spent in our community. Contracting out would eliminate good jobs in our town, sending our tax money away," said CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 spokesperson Matt O'Connor. "it is irresponsible to balance a Board of Education's (BOE) budget at the expense of the health and well-being of our community's children and local working families who are struggling in this difficult economy."

The cafeteria workers are proud of the relationships they have developed with the students, as well as teachers and other school staff, throughout the years. Members were particularly gratified with the strong showing of support at a rally they held outside a budget forum the Board of Education held in March.

The community clearly understands that private companies bid for food service contracts for profit, which they squeeze out of local schools one of three ways:

1. Lowering wages paid to the food service staff;
2. Limiting or eliminating employees' healthcare; and
3. Reducing the quality of food services.

The consequence of lowering wages or benefits for the workers is obvious; they will be to forced to look for other jobs, ending the relationships they have developed with the students and their families.

The result of reduced food service quality is clear; the health and well being of the children in the schools will be put at risk.

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