Duval County Public Schools adopts new contract for food workers

Over the weekend, Duval County Public Schools food service employees voted unanimously to ratify a new contract with Chartwells K12.

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According to a press release, here are the highlights of the contract:

• Minimum wage rates for food service workers will increase to $14 in October 2024, $15 in October 2025 and $15.30 in October 2026.

• Starting salary increases for various classifications ranging from 2% to 14%

• Longevity allowance for senior employees

• Strengthened workplace protections and contract enforcement

• Recognition of June 16 as a paid holiday for employees of administrative and summer buildings

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Annette Taylor, food unit manager and vice president of AFSCME Local 2941, the union representing Chartwells employees, said the new collective bargaining agreement is the result of hard work and community support.

“We are excited to enter the holiday season with some security and certainty that we will continue to serve students and staff so they can continue to focus on learning.” And we hope that in the future, it won’t take blood, sweat and tears to get to that point,” Taylor said in the release.

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