JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Food service at Duval County Public Schools could soon be in jeopardy.
Contract negotiations between the workers' union and the district’s food service provider have broken down.
And the union said if a deal is not agreed upon, the workers could vote to strike, which would mean union members could walk out, possibly impacting student meals at school.
The union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, represents the food service workers.
They are in negotiations with Chartwells K12, which is the DCPS food service provider.
The union said, “Chartwells employees suffer from chronic understaffing in schools, increased workload with a lack of retention of quality staff due to low wages and lack of benefits that traditional school district employees enjoy.”
The union claims it is asking Chartwells to bring starting pay to at least $15 an hour for school employees.
They said that right now, Chartwells pays the state minimum wage of $13 an hour.
News4JAX has reached out to both Chartwells and the school district via email and phone for comment on negotiations and plans should a strike occur.
A comment has not yet been received but this story will be updated once one is received.
The union will hold a news conference Monday at 1 p.m.
News4JAX will be there with updates on-air and online.