Yesterday, the Student Worker Collective at Dartmouth announced the end of their strike, two weeks after it began. SWCD will enter into mediation with the College, according to a statement posted on the union’s Instagram account.
“We plan to resolve ongoing contact disagreements as soon as possible through mediation,” SWCD wrote.
SWCD — which represents Dartmouth Dining workers and undergraduate advisors — began its strike on May 19 after seven months of negotiation with the College failed. The union is calling for higher pay and improved benefits, including job protection from automation and bereavement leave.
The union is also bargaining for more protection from Immigration and Customs Enforcement on campus. Dartmouth previously agreed to revise its policy after negotiations during a pro-Palestinian protest on May 1, now explicitly requiring law enforcement to present a judicial warrant to enter non-public areas of campus.
In an email statement to The Dartmouth, college spokesperson Jana Barnello wrote that the College offered mediation to the union last week to “assist” with negotiations and that mediation will be scheduled “as soon as possible.”
“We are thankful to SWCD for responding quickly and agreeing to participate in this process,” Barnello added.
According to Barnello, students will return to work during mediation, bringing an end to the two week strike.
“Dartmouth Dining is working diligently to resume as close to normal operations as possible this week at all locations,” Barnello wrote.
In the June 2 Instagram post, SWCD thanked its members, noting that the union will not release further communication until mediation ends.
“The SWCD extends profound gratitude to all unit members who participated in the strike, and to the tremendous support from community allies, cross-campus unions and student organizations,” the union wrote.
