Dining hall workers have ended their strike at Harvard University after nearly a month of protesting, according to a report in the Washington Post. Workers voted in favor of a five-year contract on Wednesday, Oct. 26, marking the end of the first strike at the University in 33 years.
The strike began after a walk-out protest over low wages and rising healthcare costs. Some of the new benefits given to the employees include a raise in wages from $33,800 to $35,000 a year and a stall in the increase of out-of-pocket expenses for visits to a physician.
Students joined the protest in its later development, with an estimated 600 students walking out of class in support of the strike on Oct. 24. Over 250 of them staged a sit-in in front of the administration building where negotiations were being conducted.
Harvard Executive Vice President Katie Lapp stated that "the university has sought a resolution that maintains superior compensation for our dining workers, acknowledging their role as integral members of the Harvard community."
