Dartmouth Union Officials Push Political Demands in Dartmouth Student Worker Strike
Union officials representing Dartmouth student workers have launched a strike, disrupting dining operations and student housing support just as students prepare for final exams. Despite the college’s offer of what it calls a “fair, responsible, and respectful” contract, union bosses rejected the proposal, instead demanding politically charged provisions that go far beyond wages or working conditions.
In a statement, Dartmouth’s Director of Media Relations and Strategic Communications, Jana Barnello, explained the college’s position: “Dartmouth gave careful consideration to all of SWCD’s proposals and counter proposals, and we believe the last, best, and final contracts offered for both dining workers and UGAs reflect the values and priorities raised at the table. The contracts represent areas of meaningful compromise and a fair, responsible, and respectful outcome of our shared work.”
Yet union operatives refused to accept the agreement—because their demands now include radical political goals. One union representative, undergraduate advisor Harper Richardson, made it clear: “What we are pushing for is that Dartmouth will not willfully and voluntarily provide immigration or personal information about the residence or location of any student worker, so that we can ensure that our UGAs have the utmost security from interactions with ICE.”
In other words, union officials are now using the strike to push Dartmouth into adopting sanctuary-style policies—pressuring the college to shield individuals from lawful immigration enforcement.
The union’s political focus doesn’t stop there. Union members also objected to the recent appointment of the new head of Dartmouth’s international student office, a former attorney for the Republican National Committee, labeling him a “Trump ally.” They’ve also cited distrust of campus security after students were arrested during last year’s anti-Israel protests.
While the college has offered meaningful compromises and continues seeking a resolution, union bosses have made it clear their strike is no longer just about student workers—it’s about forcing political agendas onto the institution, regardless of how it impacts students, faculty, or operations.
As with all union-directed strikes, it’s critical to remember: participation is voluntary. No student worker is legally required to walk off the job, and thanks to Janus rights, public employees and student workers may resign from union membership at any time to avoid being dragged into political activity they do not support.
Those who choose to keep serving their peers and maintaining vital services during this time should be applauded—not pressured—by union officials. Dartmouth students deserve a campus focused on learning, not one hijacked by politics.
Source: InDepthNH
For more information on your rights as an employee regarding unions, visit Know Your Rights.
