Chicago Board of Education Approves Lunchroom Workers Contract

The Chicago Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a new four-year, $64.8 million contract with Unite Here Local 1, representing over 1,800 Chicago Public Schools lunchroom workers. Officials stated the agreement follows more than a year of negotiations and includes a cost-of-living raise of 4% next July, followed by a 2.5% increase in 2028.

The new contract raises the minimum hourly pay for lunchroom workers from roughly $17 to $21 an hour and provides additional raises based on years of service. A district spokesperson noted that the current budget accounts for the contract's costs this year.

Prior to the vote, the Chicago Teachers Union accused the district of failing to adequately advocate for more state funding as potential mid-year budget cuts loom. Union officials stated that CPS denied requests for members to participate in lobby days in Springfield, while district representatives maintained that engagement with state lawmakers is ongoing.