School cafeteria workers may strike, parents warned

Workers at cafeterias in the Eastern School District may soon be on strike, parents have been cautioned. (CBC )

Parents of children at schools in eastern Newfoundland have been warned that picket lines may be in place as early as Friday.

The Eastern School District distributed a memo Thursday to parents reporting that unionized workers at the privately owned Chartwells food service company would be in a legal strike position on Friday.

CUPE, which represents the workers through local 4885, told CBC News that a strike is not likely Friday, as a vote has not yet been organized and the union is waiting for a new offer.

Education director Ford Rice told parents to send their children to school with prepared lunches, and to be prepared for picket lines.

“Should there be a job action by cafeteria workers, school routines will continue as usual,” Rice wrote to parents.

He said bus drivers have been told “the procedures to follow to cross the picket line to safely deliver students to and from school.”

“The Eastern School District recognizes that any disruption in food service delivery will be inconvenient for parents/guardians and we hope that this situation can be resolved in a timely manner,” Rice wrote.

Waiting on new offer

A CUPE representative, though, said that a strike vote has not yet been held, and that the union was waiting for a new offer to come on Thursday or Friday.

Ed White, a CUPE national representative, said the union represents about 120 employees working in 43 schools, most of whom work part-time. He said their wages are not much higher than minimum wage.

White said other issues, which he would not disclose, are involved in the negotiations.

He said a potential strike will not affect volunteer programs, such as breakfast and lunch programs. Instead, a strike would halt paid cafeteria services.