Photo | Eric Casey
Clark University undergraduate workers and supporters picketed outside the main entrance to campus for the second consecutive day on March 14.
10 hours ago
Clark student workers end strike but will continue unionization efforts, organizers say
Photo | Brad Kane
Clark University in Worcester
After 10 days of picketing, Clark University student workers have ended their strike meant to bring attention to their efforts to unionize at the Worcester school.
The Clark University Undergraduate Workers Union announced the end of the strike in an Instagram post on Monday, but vowed to continue to pressure the university to recognize its unionization efforts and address what they claim are violations of their rights as workers.
“After careful evaluation and discussion with our co-workers, we have collectively decided to end our strike — for now,” the statement reads. “Despite Clark’s blatant union-busting tactics, the past 10 days have been a testament to our strength. Over 270 student workers logged more than 3,300 hours on our picket line, joined by hundreds of other students, union members, elected officials, and community supporters.”
Eli Gillen, a business agent with Worcester-based Teamsters Local 170, previously told WBJ workers were attempting to unionize in order to address issues surrounding pay and a lack of guaranteed hours.
“Clark is taking advantage of the situation,” Gillen said. “Some of [the workers] aren’t even being paid minimum wage. They minimize the pay, and they minimize the hours.”
Clark had responded to the strike by pledging to increase dialogue with its student workers and by creating a new Student Employment Advisory Committee.
“What we’ve heard from our undergraduate students, especially over the past few weeks, is that there are ways we could improve our approach to paid positions on campus,” Kamala Kiem, associate provost for student success and dean of students, wrote in a March 19 letter to students. “We’ve also heard that our undergraduates need more clarity around the processes and channels for addressing concerns. With sincerity, the university is committed to leaning into and addressing what we’ve learned.”
In a statement to WBJ, the university said it will work to take concrete steps to address any concerns from student workers.
"The University deeply respects our students’ right to express their views and to decide for themselves how best to do so," the statement reads. "Our hope always is to work together with our students to address concerns and bring about change. That is what we are determined to do in the coming days and weeks through engagement with our students and, together, taking concrete steps forward."
The undergraduate strike came two years after Clark graduate workers went on strike in an effort to secure higher pay and more affordable health care.
EDITORS NOTE: This article has been updated to include a statement from Clark University regarding the end of the strike.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
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