If employers like Harvard or Princeton pays more than the minimum competitive wage, she says, employees will be happier and will work more efficiently.

?here is nothing anti-market with Princeton deciding to favor its workers more,?she says. ?e as wealthy institutions caring for the quality of life of our workers should make sure we are paying more than the minimum competitive wage.?

The Odd Couple: Students and Unions

Much of the University? argument against implementing the living wage has rested on the contention that a mandatory wage floor subverts the collective bargaining process.

But labor unions have been quite vocal in their support of the living wage.

In fact, union representatives, like Childs, and student activists, now mostly PSLM members, have worked together for decades advocating change to the University? wage structure.

While the coalition existed even before PSLM? formation, the alliance between the student activists and labor unions became most pronounced during the sit-in.

Union organizers?ven those representing workers who make more than the $10.25 figure?oudly proclaimed their support throughout the course of the Mass. Hall occupation.

The Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW) donated a few hundred dollars to the cause and some necessities like towels and washcloths for the students.

Most powerfully, AFL-CIO president John J. Sweeney came to speak at the sit-in? largest rally, pledging his support to the students inside the building and lauding them for their courage.

And AFL-CIO representatives served as go-betweens at the tail end of the sit-in, negotiating with administrators to reach the final agreement before the student protesters exited the building.

PSLM itself was formed in the offices of HUCTW, when a few student volunteers decided that the union could benefit from student advocacy, says HUCTW? Treasurer Donene Williams.

PSLM still uses HUCTW? Mass. Ave quarters for some of their meetings.