Hastings Minnesota – Hastings Nutrition Service Staff represented by the SEIU Local 284, who work in the Hastings Independent School District 200, voted to ratify their tentative agreement with the school board on July 22, 2024. The agreement will see wage and benefit increases in the agreement that was reached in what was their second time bargaining following their seven-week strike in early 2023.
Sarah Gallett, a Cook's Assistant at Hastings Middle School and the SEIU Local 284 steward, praised the new contract and highlighted how the 2023 strike helped build the group's strength leading into this contract negotiation:
"We are so happy to see these increases. When we went on strike, we knew we had to fight for fair wages and benefits, and now, after two years, we are showing results. A good contract like this means we can be comfortable in our work, and students can continue getting the nutrition they need to succeed."
Highlights of the new contract include:
• Wage increases between 6% and 12% over two years depending on experience
• Strong increases in employer healthcare contributions that guarantee single insurance is protected from dramatic cost spikes
• More hours for Cooks and Lead Cooks to ensure every student can get their free breakfast and lunch
Since the strike in 2023, the nutrition service staff have continued to push for higher wages and benefits. In 2023, the starting wage for Cooks Assistants was $13.85/hr. before the strike, rising now to $19.02/hr. For Cooks the starting wage before the strike was $15.05/hr. and will now be $21.06/hr. These increases show the long term gains of collective action and what workers can win remaining united at the bargaining table when focused on gains for workers and students. These wages are now competitive with neighboring districts and even outpace the contracts of other workers in the district. With high wages and benefits, workers perform better and can keep their jobs, leading to stability for students.
The Hastings Food Service Staff had been working under the previous contract that came up for renegotiation on May 9th, 2024. The group comprises 37 nutrition service staff who work to provide the students of Hastings with healthy meals so that they can thrive in and out of the classroom.
The next step is for the Hastings School Board to ratify the contract at their next meeting.
