Northeastern Dining Workers Could Strike

BOSTON, MA — Hundreds of Northeastern University dining hall workers are gearing up to vote to strike Wednesday, amid broad student support, according to the union. Look for a crowd of Northeastern food service workers, lead by the Local 26 Lead Negotiator, Northeastern undergraduate and graduate students on the sidewalk in front of Northeastern’s Krentzman Quad, at 360 Huntington Ave.

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During the strike vote, which is set for Wednesday at noon, City Councilor Josh Zakim is slated to introduce a resolution to Boston City Council in support of dining hall workers at Northeastern University.

The workers say they took a page out of the Harvard University strike playbook: Last fall the Harvard dining workers held a 22-day strike.

"Northeastern workers are demanding the same standard: affordable health care and a sustainable yearly income of $35,000 for full-time work," according to a release. The average Northeastern food service worker made less than $22,000 last year, they said.

The problem? many food service workers qualify for and rely on low-income housing and Mass Health.

Negotiations began in April and have continued through the fall. Workers have yet to set a strike deadline, but a “yes” vote would authorize the workers’ bargaining committee to call a strike at any point.

Students will be on hand Wednesday collecting more student signatures on a petition calling on the university administration to help meet workers’ demands. Their campaign site, iamhere.nu, has garnered hundreds of student signers.

Photo of the Christian Science Plaza, and Northeastern building in Boston by Jenna Fisher/Patch