Duval County Schools Food Service Workers Reach Tentative Agreement

Following months of hard and contentious negotiations, food service workers for the Duval County Public Schools have reached a tentative agreement with private contractor Chartwells K12. 

“We are excited that Chartwells saw the light, acknowledging that we are people, not just numbers on a spreadsheet, and if they are going to be successful in fulfilling their contract with the district, it is going to depend on us, the workers, being able to do our jobs,” said Annette Taylor, a food unit lead and Vice President of AFSCME Local 2941, the union representing the Chartwells employees. “And we are proud of the Duval County Schools making it clear that they expect Chartwells to fulfil their contract, not letting them cut corners and put the services we provide the kids at risk just to pad their profits.”

The tentative agreement will be reviewed by AFSCME Local 2941 members this weekend at a special meeting. They will also decide when in the coming weeks to hold a ratification vote on the contract. If the agreement is ratified, then workers will avoid having to hold a strike authorization vote. 

Highlights of the tentative agreement include:

• Starting minimum rates of pay for food service workers going up to $14 in 10/24, $15 in 10/25 and $15.30 in 10/26.
• Starting rate pay increases for various classifications ranging from 2% to 14%.
• Longevity pay for senior employees.
• Stronger workplace protections and contract enforcement. 
• Recognition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday for administrative building and summer employees.

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