300 SEIU Local 1 Working People at Kansas City Public Schools Win Wage Increases, Paid Training for 2023/24

Kansas City, MO — Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 working people within the Facilities & Maintenance, Custodial, and Child Nutrition Services departments at Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) have successfully ratified a new economic agreement that includes strong wage increases and expanded paid union orientation and training for all workers. This agreement will take effect on July 1st, 2023.

Under the new agreement, all base wage rates will increase by $0.50 and all Local 1 workers will advance an additional two “steps” on the updated wage schedule. This represents a 5.5% raise on average, with no worker receiving less than a $0.75 raise. In addition, all Local 1 workers now have the right to a paid two-hour annual Back-to-School Union orientation.

This agreement represents a significant step toward improved labor standards at KCPS, where more than 300 Local 1 working people ensure that facilities and equipment remain safe and functional, provide a clean and sanitary environment across all 35 district buildings, and prepare and serve nutritious meals to more than 14,000 children each day.

"We bargained hard and won a fair deal — so now I have a reason to stay a few more years," said a member of the Local 1 negotiation team, who has served as a Child Nutrition Services worker for more than 25 years.

“This is a real victory for Local 1 workers at KCPS who make sure that the children of our community can come to a clean, safe building, and have regular nutritious meals while they're at school,” said Christian Rak, Missouri Director of SEIU Local 1. “Local 1 working people care for the students and help build a high quality and safe space for children across the city. By investing in School Workers, we are investing in our students.” 

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Service Employees International Union Local 1 unites 45,000 workers throughout the Midwest, including janitors, security officers, airport workers, higher education faculty, food service workers and others. Local 1 is committed to improving the lives of its members and all working people by winning real economic justice and standing at the forefront of the fight for immigrant, racial and environmental justice.