Harvard University dining hall workers on Tuesday reached a tentative agreement with the university after a three-week strike. Unite Here Local 26, which represents 750 Harvard foodservice employees, came to terms on a five-year contract and both sides came to terms on the union’s main issues of wages and healthcare.
Union workers were due to vote on the contract this week. Prior to the contract settlement, workers averaged $21.89 per hour, or $33,800 per year, as workers only work eight months of the year when all dining halls are open.
On Oct. 24, hundreds of students walked out of class in support of the workers.
In a statement, Unite Here Local 26 President Brian Lang said, “We are pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement with Harvard University that our bargaining committee believes addresses all of the concerns of our more than 700 members on strike. Our strike will continue until all members on strike have a chance to review the agreement and vote to ratify. We will disclose details of the agreement after this vote on Wednesday.”
