VICTORY! Pay Raise for South San Cafeteria Workers

Despite the rising cost of living in San Antonio, South San Independent School District hadn’t given employees a raise in 5 years, with the lowest paid employees in the district making scarcely over minimum wage. South San ISD had lagged behind neighboring districts in terms of salaries, and proposals for pay increases had been met with contention between school board trustees, employees, and union representatives.
Southwest Workers Union, who represents approximately 75 cafeteria workers in the district, understands that pay increases will have a significant impact for our members who at $7.75 per hour, are often times making closer to poverty wages than living wages to support their families. After repeated protests, media engagement, and member mobilization to board meetings, SWU is encouraged by the trustees’ decision to give employees raises. Cafeteria workers will be included with teachers, librarians, and most other employees in receiving a 3 percent raise, while administrators and new teachers will receive lower pay increases. While this pay increase is not the amount SWU representatives proposed, SWU acknowledges that the district did not adopt across the board raises which unfairly benefit high paid administrators over other essential and often times underpaid staff.
SWU will continue to organize members to speak out and get involved in the processes and policies that affect them. In a state that continually limits and undermines workers’ right to organize, SWU will fight to lift up the voices of workers and working families and continue to expose the systemic roots of poverty and economic injustice.