Mount Holyoke Workers go on Strike

This month, nearly 200 workers at Mount Holyoke College went on strike, leading to a successful conclusion to their contract campaign. Dining hall, facilities, and housekeep workers from SEIU 32BJ and UAW 2322 (an ALF affiliate) walked the picket lines, demanding a mix of better wages and protection from the anti-worker and anti-immigrant policies of the federal government. 

The new contract for 32BJ includes a fully employer-funded legal defense fund which will connect members with attorneys and pay for their legal fees. This groundbreaking provision is particularly important for immigrant workers, who can use the fund of immigration fees and to defend against attacks by the federal administration on immigrant workers. The contract also includes up to nine months of unpaid time off for workers to deal with visas and other immigration concerns. 

The contact also won meaningful wage increases, especially for the lowest-paid workers, bringing all employees closer to a living wage. The lowest-paid workers saw wage increases of about $3/hour, bringing the lowest point in the pay-scale above $20/hour for the first time. UAW workers won important concessions, including improvements on the wage scale for workers with many years of service, and a free weekly meal for workers, though their contract is still in the ratification process. 

A 32BJ spokesperson described the importance of solidarity from other unions and community members in building energy on the picket line. At its peak, over 350+ community members joined workers on the picket line, many of whom were Mt. Holyoke students and faculty, in addition to members of other unions. At the college commencement ceremony happening the same day, students overwhelmingly chanted “pay your workers,” demanding concessions from the college leadership.

You can read more about the strike in articles from The Shoestring, The Amherst Student, and The Daily Hampshire Gazette.