For Immediate Release, May 12, 2008
Contact: Max Page, 413-219-7633

MSP Supports Amherst Schools’ Lunch Ladies

The Massachusetts Society of Professors calls on the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee to retain all current school cafeteria workers as public employees under the same terms as have prevailed in previous years, and to withdraw all plans for termination or severance of these employees.

Five years ago the School Committee hired an outside contractor to manage the elementary and regional school cafeterias.  At that time the school administration promised the cafeteria workers:

“We wish to assure each of you, our highly dedicated food service employees,
that your positions are secure and that you will continue to be direct
employees of the school district” (Memo from Paul Carlson to District Food
Services Staff, cc to Jere Hochman, 7/14/2003.)

The School Administration has recently negotiated a new 5-year contract with a different vendor and is going back on this commitment, saying the lunch ladies must accept severance, re-apply for their jobs, and if hired, work directly for the vendor.

Outsourcing the jobs puts incomes and job security at risk and cuts benefits.  It will increase turnover and hurt our schools.

The 20 Lunch Ladies have an average of 17 years of service to the district, and many of their own children attend or attended the Amherst and regional schools.  They are part of the school, are known to our children by name, and provide important nutrition and care.

The School Committee is meeting Thursday, May 15 at 7 PM at Amherst High School.  The MSP has written to each member of the School Committee to urge them to retain the lunch ladies as public employees under their current terms.