Cafeteria staff and climate employees in Philadelphia's School District have voted in favor of strike authorization. These workers are represented by the Unite Here union, and the union contract with the school district ends in late September. If negotiations for a new contract are unsuccessful the union will be able to take strike action at over 200 schools in the city. Unite Here is seeking increased wages for food service workers and climate workers, as these workers are some of the lowest-paid employees in the Philadelphia school district. The union is also fighting for increased training and better technology for climate workers. District management states that they will continue to bargain in good faith with the Unite Here union, and they are hoping that they can work together to avoid strike action.
See "Cafeteria and climate staff in the Philadelphia School District have authorized strike action", Kristen Graham, Philadelphia Inquirer, September 13, 2023