I am a dedicated employee working in the cafeterias of various schools across Prince William County. I am writing to advocate on behalf of my colleagues to ascertain a livable wage as we prepare to negotiate pay in December.
Over 450 men and women from around the world come to Prince William to begin their American dream. We allow these saints in our communities to work themselves ragged for unlivable pay and delude ourselves that they should be grateful to be here. They want to do right by our children, ensuring they all have the opportunity to receive a warm meal and a quality education.
Sadly, we offer the people contributing to the future of our children a meager wage. Our cafeterias are run on broken feet, tired backs and thin dinners. Exhausted folks who wake up to prepare 600 meals before dawn. Long hours with minimal compensation, causing the American dream to become nothing but an illusion.
Our society does not afford the staff feeding our students those same comforts. We tell these people that they have enough – that they should be grateful – even while we offer them less than a livable wage.
How can we expect our children to receive the care they need if the caretakers cannot afford to take care of themselves? Will we care for them the same way they care for us?
– Colin Williams, Woodbridge
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