Pennsylvania cafeteria workers settle with school district
The Herald reports that cafeteria workers in the Sharpsville Area School District (SASD) were victorious in a dispute with the school district over what they could and could not eat.
According to the settlement, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) filed a grievance in 2011 which was approved by a unanimous vote of the SASD board on May 21. The grievance was based on the allegation that the school district “violated established past practice” by charging cafeteria workers for food or drinks that could no longer be sold or consumed by students. These items included food or drinks with expired dates or food that had been reheated, none of which can be served to students according to safe food regulations. According to the settlement, the cafeteria employees no longer have to pay to eat or drink expired or reheated items, but they are doing so at their own risk. Additionally, the items cannot be sold or given to any other party, the agreement says. Furthermore, AFSCME members working in the cafeteria must pay for any other á la carte items they consume.
The Board’s solicitor Bob Tesone approved the release of a copy of the three-page settlement resolution this week following an earlier request by The Herald.
Source: The Herald, 6/10/12, By Joy Leiker
