The Harvard Graduate Student Union-United Auto Workers (HGSU-UAW) said Friday it will begin a strike on April 21 if Harvard University does not meet its demands, according to the Harvard Crimson.In an email to members, the union said Harvard negotiators have not engaged on key issues, including wages, protections for non-citizen workers, and access to third parties in harassment and discrimination cases.Union leaders cited the results of a strike authorization vote last month, in which about 96 percent of participating members voted in favor of the strike.“Student workers do not take the decision to strike lightly,” the union said in an email, as reported by the Harvard Crimson. “This overwhelming result is indicative of the desperation we are feeling.”Harvard spokesman Jason Newton said a strike was not necessary.“In recent bargaining sessions such as this week, we feel progress has been made in key areas,” Newton said in a statement, quoted by the Harvard Crimson. “This progress can only continue through negotiations at the table, and we will continue to engage in negotiations in good faith to reach an agreement.”
The deadline was set amid limited progress.
The union said it was open to reaching an agreement before the deadline.“We hope that between now and our strike deadline, Harvard will make a good-faith effort to come to the table, meet with us and bargain over our articles,” said Lindsey Adams, a member of the bargaining committee, according to the Harvard Crimson. “On the morning of the 21st, we are on strike until we have a fair deal,” he added.Progress in the talks has been limited so far. Two articles of the treaty have been tentatively agreed, while 24 are under discussion.HGSU-UAW President Sarah V. Speller said the strike authorization process involved broad participation.“It was a very democratic process,” he said, as quoted by the Harvard Crimson. “We kept it open for a month to make sure people could get as much information as possible and spend time deciding whether they wanted to vote yes.”
Potential impact on university operations
If a strike occurs, it is expected to affect teaching, grading and research activities across Harvard.Graduate student workers, including teaching fellows, course assistants and research assistants, are expected to attend.Adams said the union’s bargaining committee voted to set the deadline earlier this week, but the decision was announced publicly Friday after a membership meeting earlier in the week.There is one bargaining session left before the deadline. A one-hour meeting is scheduled for April 20.
Past strike actions
If implemented, it will be the third strike since the formation of the union.In November 2019, graduate student workers went on strike for five weeks after negotiations failed to produce an initial contract.In 2021, the union organized a three-day strike as negotiations over a second contract stalled. Disagreements continued over key provisions before a tentative agreement was reached later that year.According to the Harvard Crimson, the deal included wage increases, a legal defense fund and expanded access to Title IX resources.
