School food workers are broiling: union

Sweltering temperatures in New York City school kitchens have soared to 135 degrees in recent weeks as thousands of cafeteria workers churn out food for the universal meals program amid a heat wave, union officials allege.

“The excessive heat creates work conditions that are unacceptable, unhealthy and inhumane. This is an ongoing problem where essential workers are not being taken care of,” said Shaun Francois, the president of DC 37 Local 372, the union representing roughly 3,400 city school food workers. “We need a permanent fix to this problem,” he added.

Donald Nesbit, vice president of Local 372, said the heat has already led to fainting, heatstroke and dehydration.

“This is a workers’ safety issue and a public health issue,” said City Councilman Mark Treyger (D-Brooklyn), who authored legislation last year calling for air conditioning in every school kitchen.

School food workers have been an integral part of the universal free meals program city officials unveiled to combat hunger during the pandemic, helping serve more than 100 million meals since March.

Thousands of staffers are still on the job this summer, working across 570 schools to churn out daily “Grab and Go” meals for any family that wants one, union officials said.

But food service employees say their working conditions in recent months haven’t reflected their essential role in the city’s pandemic response. Staffers have complained of cramped kitchen spaces, and hundreds didn’t get paid for more than a month after a payroll snafu.

Now, as temperatures rise across the city, school food workers say they’re melting.

Francois, the union president, said “attempts to remedy this longstanding problem have been a piecemeal effort that is unacceptable.”

Education Department spokesman Nathaniel Styer said “our food service workers are doing incredible work feeding the city during this crisis and their health and safety remains our first priority. We are working closely with union leadership and elected officials to address their concerns.”