(CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS) – Thousands of Student Workers employed by Harvard University are in the second week of a Strike after University Administrators refused to negotiate and bargain a fair contract, causing a massive disruption to teaching and research at Harvard.

More than 4,000 Student Workers employed by Harvard University are represented by the Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 5118 (HGSU) and have been bargaining with the University for more than 18 months.

The HGSU walkout began on October 27th.

“Harvard has refused to offer meaningful proposals or schedule additional, on-the-record bargaining sessions. We are ready to bargain at any time,” said Denish Jaswal, a Harvard PhD Candidate in the Department of Philosophy and President of HGSU-UAW. “We would rather be teaching and doing research. But we need a contract we can live and work under. We are prepared to stay on Strike until Harvard moves.”

The HGSU-represented Workers are fighting for: Safe work and real recourse: Workers are seeking an independent grievance process for harassment and discrimination, legal support for Title IX cases, and guaranteed funding to leave unsafe labs without losing their income, all secured in a legally-binding Union contract; Fair pay and essential benefits: Workers are demanding a living wage, equal pay for equal work, raises that keep pace with living costs, and the ability to ensure Member access to benefit funds. Harvard is proposing to eliminate nearly $3 million in funds that helps Workers pay for essential health care, dental, childcare and Immigration expenses; and The right to stay: Workers are seeking enforceable protections for non-citizen Workers, including secure Immigration documents, guaranteed leave for Immigration emergencies, and a requirement for judicial warrants before Immigration Agents enter non-public campus spaces.

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To:

2026 Strike Press – Harvard Graduate Student Union

2026 STRIKE PAGE – Harvard Graduate Student Union

Cancellations, Disruptions as Harvard Graduate Student Strike Enters Second Week | Harvard Magazine

HGSU Video Screengrab Via Facebook.