Harvard Dining workers begin historic strike

Wednesday morning saw the first day of a historic strike by Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) workers. At 6 a.m. on Oct. 5, workers represented by Boston-based union UNITE HERE Local 26 began picketing on campus grounds. By noon, over 100 HUDS employees, Harvard students and other workers expressing solidarity had joined the protest in front of Annenberg Hall.

“Hey, Harvard, you can’t hide! We can see your greedy side!” protesters chanted.

Protesters gather at the intersection of Kirkland Street and Oxford Street.

A hotel worker expresses solidarity with HUDS workers at Wednesday’s picket.

The union has asked Harvard to increase HUDS workers’ salaries to $35,000 a year and to guarantee summer employment to interested workers, as HUDS employees generally do not work during school recesses, according to the Harvard Crimson. Harvard has offered to increase HUDS workers wages 10 percent over the course of five years, and on Monday offered a summer stipend that would provide HUDS workers who were available to work during the summer anywhere from $150 to $250 per week, “even if there are no open shifts.” The amount of the stipend would depend on the worker’s tenure at Harvard.

HUDS workers have also asked for different health benefits, as many do not use the current plan due to its limited coverage. The union has rejected Harvard’s proposed health care package, including the health benefit plan Harvard provides to the university’s largest union, the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers.

This is the first time HUDS workers will walk off the job during the academic school year in the union’s history of bargaining with the administration.

Students gather beneath a picket sign that reads “UNITE HERE Local 26.”

Güley Bor is a student in Harvard’s Master of Laws (LL.M.) program. She and a group of other students were at the strike, standing and holding signs.

“We’re students from the law school here to show solidarity and support,” Bor said.

Harvard Law student Güley Bor is one of a group of students backing HUDS workers. “We’re students from the law school here to show solidarity and support,” Bor said.

Another student present from Harvard Law School was Alexandra Rawlings.

“There’s a group of students at Harvard Law who gathered organically to discuss how we can support HUDS workers,” Rawlings said. “Just being here, bodies showing physical support and bringing food.”

Harvard Law student Alexandra Rawlings speaks with a group of fellow students. “There’s a group of students at Harvard Law who gathered organically to discuss how we can support HUDS workers,” Rawlings said. “Just being here, bodies showing physical support and bringing food.”

Rawlings said that HUDS workers usually receive food from the university while on their shifts. While they are not working, they do not have access to those provided meals, so bringing food to the striking workers is a show of support in itself.

Rawlings carries a picket sign as she rejoins the protest.

HUDS workers have been in negotiations with university administrators since June. According to Rawlings, because the Harvard campus was largely inactive over the summer, HUDS employees did not have the community support they were able to start garnering in September.

Camille Traslavina is a junior social studies student at Harvard. She has been involved with the Harvard Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM), a group dedicated to fostering inclusivity and equity among Harvard students, workers and faculty, since her freshman year.

“We work with workers on whatever issues are most important at the time,” Traslavina said. “As students, we will stand behind them until they win this fight.”

Traslavina added that there are currently around 35,000 signatures on a petition in favor of the strike.

She then joined a chant with protesters: “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now! If we don’t get it, shut it down!”

Camille Travislana represents SLAM in a crowd of protesters. “[SLAM works] with workers on whatever issues are most important at the time,” Traslavina said. “As students, we will stand behind them until they win this fight.”

At around 1 p.m., the protesters marched on Harvard Yard, culminating in a rally in front of Widener Library.

HUDS workers and united protesters march on Harvard Yard.

On the building’s steps, Local 26 President Brian Lang announced that while the picketing was over for the day, the strike would continue indefinitely and there would be a rally with workers from other unions at 5 p.m. Thursday.

“We’re going to win, because we’re going to be there one day longer than Harvard,” Lang said.

Local 26 President Brian Lang addresses protesters using a bullhorn. “We’re going to win, because we’re going to be there one day longer than Harvard,” Lang said.

There will also be a campus-wide rally at 3 p.m. on Friday.

At the entrance to Harvard Yard, flyers plastered on a sign read “HUDS Rally Friday 3 p.m. at Mass Hall.”

Photos by Rowan Walrath.