Food Service Workers: Selectives

Food Service Workers: Selectives

Apr 19, 2007 - Many Food Service workers from the Oregon State Hospital spoke about why they desperately need and deserve a salary increase and how their low-wages aren't sufficient to make ends meet.
Food Service Workers we are the working poor

Food Service Workers we are the working poor

Dozens of Cooks, Dieticians and Food Service workers — all
wearing orange shirts reading " WE ARE THE WORKING POOR "
on the front and 'DO THE RIGHT THING " on the back — filled
the room during their selective salary presentation.
They came prepared, equipped with visual aids and folders full of individual stories and income/expense profiles.

There were few dry eyes as worker after worker testified about grim financial situations, living paycheck to paycheck, many unable to afford important and sometimes crucial costs of daily living. They also explained they work hard toward the goal of serving therapeutic and nutritional meals to their clients three times a day.

Many of these workers hold two jobs and some are receiving some type of public assistance. They are asking to be treated with dignity and respect and paid a living wage.

"Food service workers at the hospital are vital," said Zeke Palomo
who works in the kitchen. "We provide essential daily needs to the patients and assist in their rehabilitation and quality of life here at OSH. My story is not the all American fairy tale of working hard and reaping rewards."

Food Service Workers at the Oregon State Hospital campaign for family wage

One of the core goals in this year's bargaining is no state employed worker should earn less than the food stamp eligibility level for a family of four.