At a union meeting last night, almost 200 dining hall workers unanimously voted to authorize their negotiating committee to call a strike if necessary.
They then joined the members and supporters of the Progressive Student Labor Movement (PSLM) in Harvard Yard and in the middle of Mass. Ave.
President of Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union, Local 26 Janice Loux called the strike authorization vote after telling the workers the general demands the negotiating committee will ask from Harvard in its new contract.
The current contract expires June 19.
"In our last contract we did well, but this time we must do better," Loux said.
According to University spokesperson Joe Wrinn, this vote does not signal a problem in Harvard-union relationships.
"It's a method of positioning yourself as you go into negotiations," he said. "It's not a call to arms against Harvard."
Higher wages are the main concern of union members, said Loux. In particular, she said the union will ask for higher wages for cash operations workers, most of whom earn less than $10.25.
Read more in News
Sit-in To End TodayRecommended Articles
-
Dining Hall Workers Swell Protest Ranks To Highest YetA boisterous rally of almost 250 Harvard dining workers spilled over into Mass. Ave. last night, in the largest sign
-
Dining Workers Ratify Contract with Wage HikeDining service workers ratified a new contract with Harvard University last night that will raise the wages of all workers,
-
Harvard Club Workers StrikeUnion workers are on strike at the Harvard Club of New York City to protest possible changes in wages, vacation
-
Janitors’ Wage Still Not a Living Wage, PSLM SaysAlthough Harvard janitors ratified a contract Friday increasing their hourly wages to at least $11.35, members of the Progressive Student
-
Janitors’ Contract Is Only the BeginningThe fight for a better contract for janitors at Harvard in recent months catalyzed an outpouring of support from students
-
More Than 300 Assemble For Food Worker RallyMore than 300 food service workers, students and other supporters gathered yesterday night at the First Parish in Cambridge Church