Last week, 591 out of 609 workers from the Harvard University Dining Service (HUDS) voted to go on strike if the school refused to come to an agreement regarding their salary demands by Friday, Sept. 30. The proposition suggested a yearly salary of $35,000 for full-time employees, as well as affordable health care.
Among the total 750 members of HUDS, 48 percent receive less than what is considered a “living wage.” Even with the average HUDS employee earning $21.89 per hour, as well as retirement benefits and health insurance, the school’s seasonal employment policy results in workers receiving less than $34,000 annually, which is insufficient to support most multi-person housing in the Boston area. Instead of getting a more suitable raise in salary, workers are instead forced to resort to overtime and additional …show more content…
In response, he expressed the frustrations of the employees concerning their working conditions, stating that “enough is enough.”
Looking at the impact made on the community by this protest, students and workers alike view it as a stepping stone towards raising awareness of the struggling lower class, as well as initiating a conversation about economic inequality, which since recent political movements has been acknowledged as one of the major issues in modern America.
Throughout history, it has been proven that the most important and long-lasting movements begin at a grassroots level before garnering the attention of the public eye. While the results of the HUDS strike remain unclear, this demonstration undoubtedly reflects a growing national conversation that in many aspects deserves recognition, and more importantly action.
The audacity of the HUDS staff should in many respects be valued and emulated, and we as a community can only hope that they ultimately achieve their
Among the total 750 members of HUDS, 48 percent receive less than what is considered a “living wage.” Even with the average HUDS employee earning $21.89 per hour, as well as retirement benefits and health insurance, the school’s seasonal employment policy results in workers receiving less than $34,000 annually, which is insufficient to support most multi-person housing in the Boston area. Instead of getting a more suitable raise in salary, workers are instead forced to resort to overtime and additional …show more content…
In response, he expressed the frustrations of the employees concerning their working conditions, stating that “enough is enough.”
Looking at the impact made on the community by this protest, students and workers alike view it as a stepping stone towards raising awareness of the struggling lower class, as well as initiating a conversation about economic inequality, which since recent political movements has been acknowledged as one of the major issues in modern America.
Throughout history, it has been proven that the most important and long-lasting movements begin at a grassroots level before garnering the attention of the public eye. While the results of the HUDS strike remain unclear, this demonstration undoubtedly reflects a growing national conversation that in many aspects deserves recognition, and more importantly action.
The audacity of the HUDS staff should in many respects be valued and emulated, and we as a community can only hope that they ultimately achieve their