Pittsfield Cafeteria Workers Will Not Be Laid Off

The school district and union officials said on Monday that Cafeteria workers will not be laid off, after all,

Superintendent Jason “Jake” McCandless said in an email sent out Monday.

I am thrilled to confirm that we were able to pull back layoff notices to our cafeteria workers

The Berkshire Eagle reports that this was a welcome reversal for employees who pushed back loudly against the cuts, which had been scheduled to begin late last week but were pushed back amid negotiations.

Stefanie Koenig, co-chairwoman of the Pittsfield Federation of School Employees cafeteria unit, confirmed the district pulled back all layoff notices that were sent to members of her department.

That transition has come into sharper focus in recent days, and McCandless said the workers will be needed sooner than expected.

The district's favored hybrid learning model eliminates the consumption of meals at school buildings, so cafeteria staff will be preparing grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches for students instead.

According to the district’s most recent schedule.
The gradual transition of students back to school buildings for hybrid learning, scheduled to begin with certain high-needs student groups this week, avoids the need for staff cuts.  High-need and some vocational students were set to return to the classroom this week, and the rest of the student body  except those who enroll in the district's new virtual academy are poised to return to classrooms part-time in three phases through Oct. 27,

That schedule indicates, however, that it still subject to change.