Dozens of cafeteria workers and supporters told the Lawrence Public Schools committee at its May 14 meeting that they want a ‘‘fair contract’’ and stronger pay and benefits for food-service staff.

Speakers said negotiations with the district have dragged on and that many cafeteria staff are paid about $18 an hour. They urged the board and superintendent to press for a contract that raises wages and addresses increased workloads and regulatory responsibilities.

Public comment speakers included Humayun Mali, who opened remarks in support of cafeteria staff and other district employees; cafeteria worker Yovanni (also spelled Giovannis) Trinidad, who said, “we will need a fair contract,” and listed rising cost of living and expanded job responsibilities as reasons to negotiate higher pay; Bartilia Benitez, who said she currently earns $18 per hour; Araliz Pujol, who said she is paid $18.76 per hour after 20 years in the district; Carmen Diaz, a Lawrence High School cafeteria worker who said staff feel discriminated against since February 2022; Ros Gonzales, a part‑time worker of 15 years earning $18.72 per hour; and Anna Sanchez, who said bargaining has been in mediation and asked the superintendent to resolve it.

Why it matters: cafeteria staff provide daily meals and play a role in attendance and school operations. Several speakers tied wage concerns to broader budget and bargaining issues the district faces this year, and multiple speakers said they support their unions and parity with other district employees.

Details from comments and follow-ups
- Multiple speakers named current hourly wages: $18 (Benitez), $18.72 (Ros Gonzales), $18.76 (Araliz Pujol). Those figures were given in public comment and are reported here as stated.
- Several speakers said bargaining has been ongoing for months and that mediation is active; Anna Sanchez said, “we have been trying to negotiate since last year,” and that the group remains in mediation.
- School committee member Myra Ortiz (Prospect Hill, District A) said she stands “in solidarity on equity and payment for all,” and said the committee will listen and advocate.

No formal board action on bargaining was taken at the meeting. Public comment was heard under the board’s listening policy; the transcript shows board members did not respond during the public comment period. The wages and mediation status reported above come from the speakers’ statements during public comment and were not presented as board findings.

Board context and next steps
Board members and district staff discussed the FY26 budget later in the meeting, which the district says includes funding for contract obligations and collective‑bargaining commitments. The public speakers urged the board and superintendent to resolve outstanding negotiations and to prioritize compensation adjustments in the district’s bargaining strategy.