Students, cooks and labor rights advocates gathered to petition for equal pay of kitchen helpers Wednesday between Altgeld and Lowden halls.

About 40 people showed up for the protest.

Since May 26, kitchen workers have sought to be included in the existing contract between the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union and NIU.

Protesters hope to present a petition in support of the kitchen helpers with more than 1,100 signatures from the NIU community to the Board of Trustees meeting today.

“Our progress had been at a standstill up until now,” said James Sheridan, AFSCME president.

Kitchen helpers’ efforts were set back due to unfair labor practices and some threats and intimidation, Sheridan said.

“A food service manager said kitchen helpers would lose their jobs if they persisted in the bargaining, which is against the law,” he said.

Members of AFSCME met Wednesday with NIU human resources to develop contract language and anticipate an economic proposal for the workers, said Ruth Stone, AFSCME vice president.

“Kitchen workers that have been employed for about 10 to 12 years sometimes make less than students that help out in the kitchen,” she said. “Most are about $4 underpaid.”

Several NIU dining service representatives said kitchen helpers deserve equal pay.

“I’ve been here 26 years, and I know these kitchen helpers do not do part-time work,” said Val Harris, a cook at Grant Towers. “They give 100 percent and deserve to receive 100 percent.”