“I think it would be a mistake if the University didn’t accept it,” said committee member Matthew Milikowsky ’02. “These recommendations have been unanimously accepted by a very diverse group who spent a lot of time thinking about these issues.”

In addition, the committee recommended that the University set up a system of implementation guidelines, including an annual public release of data on lower-paid workers at Harvard.

For its part, PSLM has pledged to continue pushing its living wage campaign—which will soon be entering its fourth year of activity—rallying in support of higher wages, increased benefits and stronger support for unions.

PSLM members said they plan to hold a series of actions today in Cambridge, coordinated with demonstrations at the Harvard Clubs of New York City and San Francisco.

And just two days ago, a group of Harvard alumni issued their own report calling for a living wage, claiming that Harvard employees are paid so little they are eligible for food stamps. The report compared workers’ wages at Harvard to those at other Boston schools—and concluded that Harvard’s wages come up short.

Making History

The committee, whose broad representation includes faculty, union members and students, was formed as a compromise to end PSLM’s Mass. Hall sit-in last spring.

The committee was charged by former University President Neil L. Rudenstine to research labor issues—including a living wage, worker benefits and outsourcing—and advise Summers on a set of recommendations by Dec. 19.

With 19 members including 10 faculty members, three unionized employees, two administrators and four students, the breadth of the committee’s membership alone makes it unique.

The committee chaired by Katz is not the first University committee to examine wages in response to PSLM’s activism. After 13 months of research, the Ad Hoc Committee on Employment Policies released a report in May 2000.

Led by Weatherhead Professor of Business Administration D. Quinn Mills and made up of faculty and administrators, the committee refused to address the question of pay hikes, instead suggesting increased health benefits and worker training in place of a wage floor such as the one proposed by PSLM.

PSLM repeatedly termed the Mills report inadequate for workers’ needs, and accused the Harvard administration of dragging its feet in making benefits accessible to workers.

Last spring’s sit-in came in response to the perceived unresponsiveness of the Harvard administration. After the three-week long occupation ended, PSLM members emerged with high hopes for the new committee structure put in place.

Meetings for the Katz Committee began this past May with 20 members, but Professor of Economics Caroline M. Hoxby ’88 resigned from the committee in October, before the Oct. 22 forum releasing preliminary data, claiming that the committee favored a pro-living wage agenda.