Harvard’s graduate student union went on strike last week on the final day of fall classes. One week later, pickets continue across campus with no end in sight yet.
The union announced their decision to strike last month, days after members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. The union and the University have met for 28 bargaining sessions since October 2018 and tentatively agreed on 12 contract provisions. Differences on key issues, however, remain: They have yet to find common ground on health care, compensation, and a procedure to adjudicate sexual harassment and discrimination complaints.
The strike has already impacted University operations — several classes had to reduce hours allocated to review sessions and some had to move classes out of Harvard Yard. In addition, some deliveries were disrupted across campus last week as picketers stood in front of loading docks and asked drivers to not deliver their goods.