Union Officials at Mount Holyoke College Disrupt Convocation With Strike and Student Protests
Union officials with SEIU Local 32BJ and UAW Local 2322 ordered workers at Mount Holyoke College to strike this week, throwing the campus into turmoil and overshadowing the school’s annual convocation ceremony.
The college administration has continued to stress its commitment to bargaining fairly. “We remain committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement,” a college statement read. “We deeply value and recognize the contributions of all of our employees. We will continue to negotiate in good faith with Local 32BJ and Local UAW 2322 in the hope of reaching a resolution as quickly as possible.”
Despite this pledge, union activity spilled into student events. At convocation on Tuesday, seniors handed out union-branded stickers for classmates to wear on their robes, turning the ceremony into a political stage. When trustee Sally Durdan took the stage, students repeatedly chanted “pay your workers,” halting the proceedings for several minutes. Others joined in with chants of “no convocation,” further derailing the ceremony.
College President Danielle Holley attempted to address the disruption, acknowledging the strike and telling students that the college was negotiating carefully. “We are working very, very carefully on that, and will meet all demands regarding the living wage,” Holley said, according to video of the event. Students in the choir seated behind her turned their backs during her remarks.
While the strike is being framed as a push for higher wages, the reality is that union bosses have chosen to use aggressive tactics to pressure the administration, all at the expense of students’ educational experiences and milestone events.
It’s important for employees to understand that union members can be fined for not joining a strike if they remain in the union. In addition, unlike at public colleges and K-12 schools, where the Janus Supreme Court ruling applies, private college employees such as those at Mount Holyoke, do not have Janus rights. That means they cannot simply resign union membership to avoid dues or strike penalties in the same way that public employees can. This makes it all the more important for workers to weigh whether union officials’ disruptive strategies truly serve their best interests. Or, if the real costs are being borne by the students and community they are meant to support.
Source: The Shoestring
For more information on your rights as an employee regarding unions, visit Know Your Rights.
