Breaking: Harvard dining hall workers announce strike October 5
For Immediate Release: September 30, 2016
Contact: Tiffany Ten Eyck, [email protected], 313-515-1807
Harvard dining hall workers will strike next Wednesday
Workers will staff picket lines instead of breakfast
Cambridge, MA—Harvard dining hall workers will launch an open-ended strike the morning of Wednesday, October 5 if a fair agreement is not reached university administrators by Tuesday, October 4 at 11:59pm. Instead of serving breakfast, workers will walk picket lines at more than a dozen locations across Harvard’s undergraduate and graduate campuses.
Harvard dining hall bargaining committee members sat down for the 1xth session of negotiations Friday, two of which have been attended by a federal mediator. Harvard administration continues to insist workers pay more for basic medical services.
“Workers are demanding two simple things from the university administration: the ability to earn at least $35,000 a year and a health insurance program that does not shift costs onto those who can least afford it,” said UNITE HERE Local 26 Lead Negotiator Michael Kramer. “These are reasonable expectations anywhere, but especially at the richest university in the world.”
Harvard dining hall workers voted in a landslide 591 to 18 vote to authorize a strike on September 15.
“The decision to strike was not easy, especially because we love our Harvard students and want them to eat healthy food that we cook,” said bargaining committee member Anabela Pappas. “Our students are as frustrated as we are that Harvard University told us it can’t afford to maintain our health care or pay sustainable incomes.”
“I want to shed light on the hypocrisy at Harvard,” said Gene VanBuren, a cook at Harvard Law School. “We take care of students that pay a lot of money to Harvard to be taken care of but Harvard isn’t taking care of us.”
“I want my kids to be able to have a bright future, and maybe one day they’ll go to Harvard,” said Jackie Medeiros, a dining hall worker with 24 years of service. “But right now, I’m too worried about how I’m going to pay the bills and pay for their doctor’s visits.”
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BREAKING: Harvard dining hall workers overwhelmingly authorize strike
Harvard dining hall workers authorize strike
97% vote to strike, to take place in 2 weeks if no resolution
CAMBRIDGE, MA—Harvard dining hall workers voted 591 “yes” to 18 “no” with 609 ballots cast yesterday to authorize a strike. Their contract covers 750 workers across Harvard University campuses and will expire at midnight tonight.
Workers’ have two core demands: a $35,000 sustainable yearly income and affordable health care.
The average Harvard dining services worker made less than $35,000 last year. While many employees want to work a full 52-week year, the average Harvard dining services worker only received 38 weeks of work.
The Harvard administration insists workers pay more for medical services including seeing a doctor for preventative care.
“We are the first people to greet Harvard students in the morning and make sure they are fed and healthy,” said 35-year Harvard dining services employee Anabela Pappas. “But if Harvard makes these changes, many of us will have to neglect a visit to the doctor.”
Students are showing overwhelming support. The editorial board of The Harvard Crimson published an editorial supporting the strike. Harvard Medical School students, clad in white coats, held a rally at the Longwood Medical campus Monday. Undergraduates launched a support petition that has garnered 2,460 signatures.
“I support our HUDS workers because they go above and beyond for me,” said Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez, a Senior with a dietary preference who lives in Kirkland. “They make sure I’m healthy and I want to do the same for them.”
Dining hall workers will meet with the Harvard administration on Friday for the 15th session of bargaining, which began May 20. An additional session with a federal mediator is scheduled for September 27.
“Workers employed by the wealthiest university on the planet should not have to strike, but they will if they must,” said UNITE HERE Local 26 lead negotiator Michael Kramer. “We’re prepared to give the University 2 weeks to come to a suitable resolution.”
For Immediate Release: September 16, 2016
Contact: Tiffany Ten Eyck, [email protected], 313-515-1807
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