Clark Undergraduate Workers Strike

On Thursday, March 13, the Undergraduate Student Workers of Clark University began a strike. In a majority decision, the student body voted to strike on March 11. Since 6 a.m. on March 13, students have been walking the picket lines at both the Maywood Street loading dock, and the Main Gates of Clark on Main Street. Faculty and employee supervisors have been made aware of the strike by an email was sent out by Provost John Magee.

Disclaimer: This and all live updates are written and reported by Scarlet members who are not actively participating in the picket line at any point. 

Gallery ~ 19 Photos

All Photos by Morgan Parisse

Live Updates

Live updates for the Strike have concluded. Below is an archive of our updates.

March 19 – 5:20 p.m. 

Around 1:15 p.m., Dean Kiem told a picketer to stop writing “Democracy in Action” on the campus sidewalk in chalk. After she left, a striker yelled, “I’m sorry; we’re fighting for democracy!”

Meanwhile, Worcester Police patrolled the area around the Jefferson Academic Building, where David Fithian delivered his State of the University speech.

Strikers moved the “Clark Loves Union busting” sign that was previously outside the Main Gates to Jefferson for speech attendees to see. Administrators walked past one of the sign holders, who was casually sipping a coffee.

As of 1:50 p.m., the SYC economic relief fund is at $3,934.33.

During the State of the University Speech, some strikers moved to Woodland St., facing the Jefferson Academic Building, before continuing toward Atwood Plaza. A group also made noise further down Main St., away from the main picket line. 

The General Student Employment Listening Session was also today, and began at 3 p.m. About 25 Undergraduate student employees were present from different departments, including Admissions, Visual and Performing Arts, and Facilities. Dean Kiem and Director of Student Employment  Julie Bolduc facilitated conversations with the student workers. 

To avoid student protestors, Provost Magee was escorted by police out of the Shaich Family Alumni and Student Engagement Center (ASEC) and into a police car. After the State of the University speech, a group followed the Provost back to ASEC, though while maintaining a five-foot distance. 

A line of picketers then gathered on Main St yelling “do what’s fair, do what’s right, Clark you can end this strike.” They also chanted: “John Magee, you can’t hide, we can see your greedy side.”

Dean Kiem sent an email at 4:07 p.m. with the subject “Update on current dynamics on campus.” 

“We understand and respect that some of our undergraduate students feel strongly about union representation, and we support your right to express those views,” Kiem wrote. “At the same time, the University has a differing view, and it is our responsibility to convey it.”

“The University regards undergraduate students first and foremost as students…consistent with that, the University does not support unionization among undergraduates, including through a card check process,” she continued.   

The email also addressed five “concrete steps” the University is taking to improve relations with undergraduate students. These steps include ongoing listening sessions, facilitated dialogue, the creation of a Student Employment Advisory Committee, and sending out a student employment satisfaction survey. 

“Before the start of the fall 2025 semester, the Division of Student Success, along with the Office of Student Employment, will report back to the undergraduate student body on an actionable plan for addressing concerns and enhancing the experience for undergraduate students in paid positions at Clark,” Kiem added.

Though picketers remain at the Main St. Gates, some have moved across the street, in front of ASEC. 

Updates regarding the State of the University speech will be posted in the coming hours. This is an ongoing story.

March 19 – 12:41 p.m.

This morning, the Food Insecurity Resistance Movement (FIRM) pantry sent a statement to pantry users explaining that Clark student workers employed by Jeremiah’s Inn would be withholding their labor. 

“Our administration not only refuses to acknowledge us as workers, but they also take advantage of our labor as the only consistent food insecurity resource the university provides,” the organization wrote. In their statement, FIRM also asked its supporters to email President David Fithian and the deans. 

“This strike has nothing to do about Jeremiah’s Inn, but rather it has everything to do with Clark University threatening student workers rights across the nation and the way they are choosing to treat their workers,” the statement concluded. The statement also mentioned that it was up to Jeremiah’s Inn whether or not to keep it open. 

At 11:15 p.m., 15 people were present at the picket line, including City Councilmember Etel Haxhiaj. Strikers drummed on Home Depot buckets while picketers walked and chanted on beat. 

Many of the chalk writings on the Clark sidewalks were washed away. A new chalk message writing appeared this morning, reading “Clark Hates Art.” The writings on the public sidewalk are still there. 

The sign that reads “Clark loves union busting” has returned and is leaning against the pillars at the Main St. Gates. 

The drum set has also returned, creating more sound for the picket line.

March 18 – 10:52 p.m.

Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., the number of picketers ranged from 10 to 20 people, some of which were drumming on Home Depot buckets, playing guitar, and tapping on a cowbell. 

More phrases have been added to the sidewalks around the Main St. Gates, including “Seventeen F*cking Horses, Fithian?” Another wrote out one of the chants: “What’s disgusting? Union busting! What’s outrageous? They won’t pay us!”

The Teamsters solidarity truck will be out at the Main St. Gates early tomorrow morning, and picketing will begin at 8 a.m., starting the final day of the strike’s first week. This also means that picketers have until 10 p.m. to reach their 15 hours on the line in order to receive money from the economic relief fund.

March 18 – 5:32 p.m.

By 2 p.m., around 25 people were at the picket line. Many walked and conversed with each other. Others sat in support, singing along with the music, having lunch, or doing homework.  

On Saturday, March 15, it was reported that access to Slate, a program used by Undergraduate Admissions workers to track prospective students’ information, had been removed for all student workers. An email sent at 1:50 p.m. notified student admission workers that log-in hours on Slate during their shifts would be supervised. 

The email explained that removing access to Slate was a cautionary step to keep confidential information secure after the Office discovered that some students accessed the program when they were not on duty with Admissions. Access to Undergraduate Admissions workers’ shift planning portal, Humanity, has also been reduced; Undergraduate Admissions workers can now only access their schedule as opposed to everyone’s schedule. 

Back on the picket line, multiple people have written in chalk on the sidewalk leading to the Main St. Gates and outside of the Geography Building. One of the writings leading to the picket line reads, “F*** You Pay Us.” Another message on the sidewalk outside the Geography Building says, “David Fithian, Do The Right Thing.” 

Around 2 p.m., a joint Instagram post by @theseeyoucollective and @cu.ugwu was posted providing information about the strike fund that The See You Collective (SYC) is distributing to Undergraduate student workers on the picket line. 

The SYC fund is available for people to request funds based on need and not to make up the difference in pay that workers might experience due to the strike. The fund is for people who cannot get by on $177 per week. For reference, strikers will receive $177 for the first week of the strike if they have walked the picket line for 15 hours by Wednesday at 10:00 PM. The post clarified that the economic relief fund for the student workers on strike is separate from the SYC’s strike fund. The SYC Strike Fund is specifically for unmet basic needs, not lost wages.  

As of 10 p.m. on March 17, there was $434 in the SYC Strike Fund, and the SYC had allocated $2,686 to 15 different strikers. As of 4 p.m., the current update shows $3,052.34 in the fund. In an Instagram story post, the SYC shared, “On average, each donor gave $61.”

The library is continuing to close at 6 p.m. until further notice. Students can check the library doors and website for daily updates.

March 18 – 11:23 a.m.

As of 9:40 a.m., about 12 people are walking in the picket line. There is no bucket drumming this morning, but a speaker on the picket line has played music throughout the morning. 

The solidarity truck is parked in front of ASEC, as opposed to the Main Gates, due to excess parking on the street.

Strikers continue to draw on the sidewalk. One picketer wrote, “Union strong union proud” in blue, green, and pink chalk.

March 17 – 10:11 p.m.

This evening, the picket line ended at 10 p.m. with eight people walking. 

A union organizer shared that the Teamsters truck would arrive at Main St. gates at 7:15 a.m., with the picket line beginning at 8 a.m. 

March 17 – 3:56 p.m.

At 11 a.m., there was an open dialogue held between Undergraduate Admissions workers and Administration, including Dean Kamala Keim, the Associate Provost and Dean of Students. 

At 12:50 p.m., the Teamsters confirmed that the current economic relief fund amount is $70,000. Based on the amount, each picketer that has logged at least 15 hours per week through March 26 on the line, will receive $177 per week. 

The message sent to the announcements undergraduate worker Whatsapp group chat by a strike captain stated, “Strike captains just had a check-in with the Teamsters and learned that the current amount in our strike fund with them is 70k. Based on this amount (which has been approved through next Wednesday 3/26 for a second week), each picketer will receive $177 for 15 hours per week on the line. YOU MUST BE ON THE PICKET LINE FOR THE FULL 15 HOURS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FUNDS. If you have not logged 15 hours on the line for this week, you will have until 10pm on Wednesday to log those hours on the picket line and receive the strike fund.”

There are still 34 more hours until the end of the first week cycle of picketing, which is Wednesday, March 19, for people to join the picket line to reach the needed 15 hours for the first week. 

To be considered “on the picket line”, students can be “walking in the circle, drumming, making music, leading chants, giving out food and water, or making art” according to a student in the Undergraduate Workers Whatsapp.

It was encouraged to reach out to the See You Collective (SYC) if this money is not enough to cover weekly pay. If this is more than a student makes each week, they are encouraged to donate the difference to the SYC. As of 2:30 p.m., the SYC fund is $3,120.

“As part of this community, you deserve to feel secure and we know that the $177 is less than many people make each week. This is not the time to give in; This is the time to be there for your friends. Make an extra portion of food if you have the time to cook, check-in with each other, spend time together relaxing off the picket. We have to show up for each other as much as we show up to the picket,” according to a strike captain in the Whatsapp group chat. 

At 2:50 p.m., one of the Teamsters union organizers sent another message to the Whatsapp group. This message stated, “We applied for the strike fund for a second week a few days ago, and this morning, we were informed by the people who manage the fund that there was the 15 hours requirement. This was totally new information to us, we had previously communicated everything that they had told us.” 

They shared that, to reach 15 hours, it requires an average of just over two hours a day. The message also stated “The funds are provided through a separate organization so we are unable to have a say over what conditions they set. We are also frustrated that we hadn’t gotten this information sooner.”

The picketers are continuing in the rain, there are ponchos and umbrellas for people to use. 

March 17 – 11:50 a.m.

The Union Organizers announced at 8:20 a.m. that picketing would be moving to an 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. schedule, located only at the Main St gates for the time being.

An Undergraduate Admissions worker has been out since 8:20 a.m. and has done 12,551 steps as of 10:32 a.m. They walked the picket line instead of going to their shift. 

The Teamsters solidarity truck is still located at the Main St. Gates; union organizers and strike captains are present.  

Since 9 a.m., a range of seven to 20 people have been walking, along with others who are playing the drums and doing homework, showcasing their support on the sidelines. There is a canopy present for strikers to sit under in case of more rain. 

Although the day initially began as overcast and rainy, the picket started up strong. At 10:30 a.m., a striker with a bullhorn announced when it was no longer raining, “You hear that, Fithian? We’ll be here in the rain, in the snow,” before continuing the other union chants.

In an instagram post on @cu.ugwu posted the evening of March 15, sharing “As our strike moves into its fifth day, we will be making some adjustments to ensure the longevity of our strike and gives us the ability to continue withholding our labor on a long-term basis. This will involve the Teamsters giving us more authority and independence to run the strike as we, the workers, see fit.” 

The post also addressed concerns about harassment of student-workers who are not participating in the strike, as many of them are low-income and BIPOC students. “This behavior is absolutely unacceptable, and we will not tolerate it,” they stated. Visit their Instagram page to learn more.

March 16 – 9:07 p.m.

Even during the wind, the picket line ended the night at 8 p.m. with 25 people walking and chanting together. The chants were:

“My neck, my back, these policies are wack

Hey Clark step off it, put workers over profit.” 

“Everywhere we go, 

Everywhere we go,

People want to know, 

People want to know, 

Who we are 

Who we are

So we tell them

So we tell them 

We are the Workers

We are the Workers

The mighty, mighty workers

The mighty, mighty workers

And if they forget it

And if they forget it

They’ll live to regret it

They’ll live to regret it”

“What’s disgusting? Union busting. What’s outrageous? They won’t pay us”

“Don’t cross that picket line ayy, Don’t cross that picket line.”

“The workers united will never divided”

The final chant of the night was:

“One

We are the Union

Two

A little bit louder

Three

We’re out here fighting

For our card check” 

A student also used chalk to write “Student Worker Power” on the sidewalk in front of the Main St. Gates.

March 16 – 6:15 p.m.

As of 5:45 p.m., the picket line is still going strong with 32 people. Someone is playing music through a speaker through a megaphone, including “Party in the U.S.A.,” “Forget You,” and “Get Low.” There is a drum line staying in beat with the music. 

Student-worker Will Smith shared “I love drumming, I hate union busting.”

Cars passing by are continuing to honk in support of the strike. One of these people was City Council member Khyrstan E. King. 

A canopy has been set up in preparation for rain, then taken down shortly after due to the wind.

There was an announcement over the megaphone at 6 p.m., that the picket will be shutting down at 8 p.m. tonight and starting up again at 8 a.m.

It was also announced that if strikers need additional funds, the See You Collective has around $2,700 available for distribution for people in need.

March 16 – 3:49 p.m.

At noon, the Main Street gates had a group of picketers striking.  In addition, multiple people are drumming on Home Depot buckets, and every single one of them has cracked bottoms due to the excessive drumming they’ve endured these past few days. 

A person with the bullhorn notified those on strike to bring their friends because Park Avenue is closed because of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which is leading to more Worcester residents driving on Main St. 

Before the parade, Striking Undergrad student workers met Mayor Petty and City Council members Bergaman and King. 

When the parade was in full swing, many different groups and organizations from Worcester walked and drove down Park Ave. with hundreds of onlookers. At 1:07 p.m., the Teamsters truck passed by Beaver St, with 15 Clark students leading the way, holding a sign saying “Clark loves union busting,” a handful wore their work attire.  

The solidarity truck followed shortly behind the Teamsters Local 170 truck. The Teamsters were among a large group of organizations that joined the parade. They walked from 660 Park Ave to Elm Park.

At 3:10 p.m., the picketers were still walking at the Main St. Gates; there were around 20 people. 

The main library, floors two to five, is open today until 6 p.m. The full-time staff is stepping in; today, Kara Mackie is here. 

At this time, the ITS desk is still closed. 

March 15 – 11:12 p.m.

Striker Ezra Schwerner shared some insight on the strike team’s adjustment to continue the strike. 

Q: Why did you decide to stick it out for the long haul?

A: “We wanted to do everything to make sure that this was going to be sustainable. I think that we did a great job staying militant, staying overnight, and putting pressure on administration, putting pressure on Destination: Clark, but if this is something we’re going to want to continue for as long as we need to, we’ve got to prioritize taking care of ourselves and making sure that this is something that’s going to be able to be worthwhile and be sustainable… We’re not giving up in the same way that the administration is not giving up, and it’s just going to be, who’s staying stronger? And there is no doubt that it’s gonna be us, so we’re just making sure that we can bolster everything that we need to.” 

Q: What is the new plan?

A: “We’re still picketing out here every day, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., same thing, hopefully, we will have the bands. We’re still making noise, still, come out, still walk with us. The truck’s still going to be here. We’re applying for another week of strike funds. We’re going to keep applying for strike funds. Nothing is really changing except that we’re not sleeping here overnight. We’re still as passionate about this as we need to be. If you’re a worker, if you’re a student, if you’re a community member that wants to support us, we’re still going to be out here, and we would love to see everybody.”

Q: Is there anything else you want to add?

A: “Don’t get dejected about a change in plans. The messaging was we’re not letting the administration dictate our change. This is just really more of a recalibration over everything, that’s what the message is going to be. We’re calibrating to make sure we’re out here as long as we’re out here, and all of us are committed to be out here, as long as we need to take.”

On March 16, the picketers will be leaving the picket line to join Teamsters in the Worcester St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 10:30 a.m. The parade will start at noon on Park Ave. For more information, visit the @cu.ugwu.

March 15 – 8:24 p.m.

Destination: Clark concluded at 4:20 p.m. Throughout the day, approximately 25 total students worked the event. Without the strike, around 65 student workers would have worked Destination: Clark. A club fair was hosted at the end of the day; three clubs attended after others boycotted. 

The Clark Accessibility Network was one of the clubs that attended the club fair.

“We specifically had a flyer made for us to support striking workers after receiving support for tabling from strike captains and teamsters reps last night,” Clark Accessibility Network representatives shared. “We wanted to support those striking and spread important info on accessibility and the disabled Clark community for incoming students.” 

The other clubs present at the club fair were Clark U Hillel and the Middle Eastern and North African Student Association (MENASA).

Prospective students and families had the opportunity to explore campus today, many of whom are early decision or early action admits. One prospective student shared about how the strike has impacted their decision: “it hasn’t influenced it in any negative way, I mean it’s nice to see that students are fighting for what they want to change or believe in,” they said.

“We wanted [a] college for our son that stands for union rights,” a prospective student’s parent shared. “I’m a teacher myself and I believe in unions; unions are good for us so I like to see that you guys are protesting and fighting for your rights.”

Students made and delivered dinner to fellow strikers at the picket line around 5 p.m. Dinner options included lentil soup, white rice, and curry. Many picketers ate the meal as they continued walking around in the circle. 

During this time, chanting stopped, and music was played loudly. Passing cars honked in support of the strike. 

As of 7:50, roughly 38 people were at the picket line at the Main St. Gates. 

At 8:54 p.m., it was announced that there will be no picketers on the night shift; they will be returning at 6 a.m. on March 16.

March 15 – 2:55 p.m. 

The workers “have the music;” the picket line at Main St has two saxophones, a flute, a trombone, various guitars, a violin, various drums, and even a keyboard. Picketers have also been banging on Home Depot buckets. 

Admissions tour guides have begun making adjustments to their regular tours, including changing their tour routes around picketers. 

“We are changing the tour routes, not to hide the strike from families, but to protect ourselves from feeling judged and harassed as tour guides,” an undergraduate admissions student worker stated. 

At 11:15 a.m., Woodland street picketers began playing Peter Seeger’s “Solidarity Forever.” 

An alumnus, who went as J.B, attended graduate school at Clark and came to support the strike as a member of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. 

“The Clark students here got to fight like hell to get substantial gains,” J.B. said. 

SLP Tech employee Ray Switkes has spoken to around 20 admitted students and their families about the strikes. Switkes shared how the students they spoke to seemed interested in knowing if Clark would be “treating its student workers well.” 

At 1:45, The Scarlet learned that access to Slate has been removed for undergraduate admissions workers, including those who are still working during Destination: Clark. Slate is where prospective student information, such as the number of times someone accesses the website or visits the school, is tracked. Slate provides undergraduate admissions workers with access to students’ emails, phone numbers, addresses, and other confidential data. 

The admissions workers who are picketing have begun wearing their name tags. Picketers are repeating chants such as “Get Up, Get Down, Worcester is a union town.” To accompany this chant, many raise and lower their hands in time with the words. A dog and his owner also joined the picket line. 

Meanwhile, prospective students and families continue on tours around campus and walk past the picket lines. Some families have stopped to ask questions. 

“Ideally, we wouldn’t be out here,” a student on the picket line shared. They alleged that the striking student workers are doing so because they feel they have no other choice – they acknowledged that Clark needs new students to continue as a university at all, but also mentioned that most admitted students and families have either been curious about the strike or offered words of support.

March 15 – 11:06 a.m. 

At 6 a.m., strikers gathered at the Main Gates to begin walking for the day. Today is Destination: Clark, an event in which admitted students can come and visit the campus before committing. Admissions student worker, shared “I’m out here, striking today, there’s definitely a couple reasons why. One is that our supervisors don’t really seem to understand that we really do some hard work out here. They aren’t really willing to sit down and talk to us and listen to us. They’ve also been cutting hours back and we don’t want that so we’re out here supporting the union and trying our best to get what we deserve.”

According to a student-worker not participating in the strike at Destination: Clark, this morning at 7 a.m.,  signs directing students where to go, some strikers attempted to rearrange the signage words. This was stopped by Worcester Police shortly after. 

At the picket line in the intersection of Downing St. and Florence St., strikers are handing out small flyers to parents and admitted students, inviting them to go to the Main St. Gate to learn more about student employment issues at Clark. 

As of 9:25 a.m., the Information Desk at the University Center is being run by Student Leadership and Programming administration, including Maria-Elisa Gallant, Associate Director for Student Engagement & Equity. 

As of 9:45 a.m., there are four locations for people to join the picket line: Main St. Gates, the gates by Maywood St. Hall, the corner of Downing St. and Florence St., and the corner of Woodland St. by Atwood Hall. Over 100 students are participating across the four locations. 

At 10:07, Picketers walked down Downing Street with a sign that said “Clark loves union busting” while prospective students and families exited the Kneller Athletic Center. The artists involved were Miller, Thea, Nick and Bianca. A chant that students are doing is “What’s Disgusting? Union busting! What’s Outrageous? You won’t pay us!” 

Union organizers were notified of a noise complaint by the Worcester Police at the intersection of Downing St. and Florence St. 

March 14 – 11:43 p.m.

Senior Malie Marguleas is a student-worker on campus and a strike captain. Marguleas shared “So I’ve been involved in this since October. I’m one of the first people and one of the helpers and organizers and everything like that. Really the reason I’ve decided to strike was because I’ve been in my job for four years now, and I’ve seen pretty much every turnover there is, all the bosses, all the disrespect, and the decrease in pay instead of increase, and decrease in hours instead of increase. I’m not going to reap any of the benefits but I’m doing it for all the other student workers that are on this campus that deserve so much better rights and also just all the other student workers across the nation that could potentially affect as well with the Columbia (2016) decision too. So at the end of it, I’m really not here for me. I’m really just here for them and you know the next four years of those future Clarkies that are planning on coming tomorrow, all 150 of them. I’m here doing this for them as well.”

The Scarlet had the opportunity to talk to a University Spokesperson. Here are some questions and answers from this conversation. 

Q: Why did the university adopt the stance they did on undergraduate worker unionization?

A: “Our position on undergraduate unionization, the university assumed one singular focus that is the undergraduate student experience at Clark, full stop, and the potential impact of unionization on that experience. We believe that it is a well-founded and well-grounded position, centered around our students, centered around the fact that our undergraduates come to Clark first and foremost to study and to learn and to grow, to get on future paths to success. That means it’s also centered around the academic experience and prioritizing it. That does not mean that we don’t value the contribution that students make in paid positions, we do, but the position that we’ve taken on the undergraduate student unionization is specifically out of concern about and respect for the undergraduate student experience.” 

Q: We understand that there is a conversation about student employment next week. Were these conversations in the works before Teamsters filed?

A: “The Office of Student Employment had been working toward holding these listening sessions, and that had to come to a stop when the petition was filed. We’re not allowed to have those kinds of conversations when we’re in the National Labor Review Board process. So we picked up on it after the petition was withdrawn, but absolutely, that was in process. That is one of the reasons why these listening sessions are structured the way that they are by function so that our Office of Student Employment can sit down and really say, ‘Okay, tell me about your day-to-day experience, tell me what it’s like to do what you do individually and as a group.’ That’s the place where we need to begin. So Julie, the head of the Office of Student Employment, has moved ahead with those conversations because, again, it’s the most important place to start.”

On the Undergraduate Workers Union’s Instagram page, @cu.ugwu, posted urging people to join the picket. The instagram post stated, “We need everyone at the picket with us tomorrow (3/15) for Admitted Students Day! Let’s show Clark the impact workers really have on this campus. Bring your coworkers, friends, and family! Show up at 6 a.m.! Stay the Morning!”

March 14 – 9:17 p.m. 

Students are still going during their strike, and morale is high. It was shared by union organizer Jack that many of the Teamsters here have been doing this for years and have never seen energy like this. Here are some reasons why people are striking. 

A student in solitary explained, “I have a lot of friends who are student workers and who have been really frustrated with the response to unionization efforts. So I’m here in support, mostly of my friends but also when has a student union ever been a bad thing?”

Student worker Siobhan Davis said, “I think the thing that I care about most is the disrespect. Things can be debated at contract tables, but the one thing you can’t debate is the fact that I am a student worker. I’ve worked at admissions for two, close to three years now, and I’ve basically given tours to six generations of people.”

Ada Silverton, who is not a student worker, joined because “I think student workers are mistreated on campus, and Clark University is refusing to allow them to form a union and they are taking advantage of the Trump Administration to sacrifice student workers rights everywhere.”

Student worker Stephen Gibbons shared ,“The primary reasons are really just Clark’s response to a call for a union. It’s really disheartening to see how Clark has responded to just a simple call to be at the table. And instead of getting scraps, I believe we should be at the table with everyone else.”

At 5:57 p.m., an email was sent to all faculty, Provost John Magee and President David Fithian from The Leadership of The Clark University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors. 

In this email, they stated, “In the interests of democracy and fundamental rights at work, we call on Clark University’s Administration to sign a Card Check Neutrality agreement with Teamsters Local 170. We call on the university to sign a Card Check Neutrality with Teamsters Local 170 immediately. It should be up to our student workers to decide whether they see themselves as workers, whether they want a union, and which union they choose to affiliate with. “Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining” is one of the International Labour Organization’s five fundamental principles and rights at work. We note that the majority of Worcester City Council members have already urged the administration to agree to Card Check Neutrality. We note that the story has been covered in the local news. Finally, we note that many members of our chapter of the AAUP will be among those showcasing the opportunities that Clark University offers to admitted students at tomorrow’s Destination Clark event, providing added urgency for resolving this dispute.”

March 14 – 4:50 p.m.

At 1:45 p.m., Worcester and University police have told union organizers that if unsafe behaviors continue, like blocking the driveway from trucks from driving in and shouting at drivers walking on the loading docks, arrests will start to be made. 

According to the Worcester Business Journal published at 2 p.m., Clark’s official statement regarding the unionization is: “We respect our students and promote their right to express their views. Clark is committed to fostering an environment where every student feels valued and supported. This is an important part of who we are as a university and consistent with our mission. While we may disagree on the issue of undergraduate student unionization, we deeply appreciate all of the important contributions our students make to our campus community.”

A group of strikers stated “If you are at the picket line, you’d know that Fithian has 17 horses”. 

Massachusetts State Representative District 17 David LeBoeuf sent a letter to President Fithian at 3 p.m., stating he “ is extremely disappointed that the University would threaten to use its legal and financial resources to challenge the National Labor Relation Board’s 2016 Columbia decision”. “The University prides itself on its stated commitments to social justice, freedom of expression, and community involvement,” he continued. “Actively taking steps to prevent unionization runs contrary to these fundamental principles.” The full letter can be found at the bottom of this page. 

In an X post at 4:20 p.m., Senator Ed Markey posted, “I am in solidarity with the Clark University Undergraduate Workers @cuworkers @170teamsters as they exercise their right to organize a union. Young people are 25% of our population, but 100% of our future.” 

In an interview with a University spokesperson this afternoon, they stated regarding Destination: Clark on March 15, “The first and most important thing is we intend to make it a fantastic day for our admitted students. Second, we have said and feel very strongly that if a student wants to express support for the Union and wants to be part of protests, that student has a right to do it. At the same time, if a student wants to work and be a part of an experience like Destination: Clark and be an ambassador for the university they love, they need to be able to do that.” 

At 4:15, the Maywood picket line moved to join the Main Street Gates line. 

March 14 – 1 p.m.

Many on the picket line stayed overnight, a student who was there from 1 to 6 a.m said “For one thing, we just needed to keep it going and maintain the picket line. It was cold and we were all pretty tired, but we all took care of each other. There were plenty of supplies to keep us fed and awake, and warm places to rest if needed. You could really sense the community in all of it.”

On the first day of the strike, roughly 150 workers signed in, indicating they were picketing. These numbers do not include the number of non-workers who attended in solidarity with undergraduate workers on strike. Organizers hope that numbers will continue to increase. 

At 8:30 a.m., three city council members, Thu Nguyen, Khrystian E. King, and Etel Haxhiaj, joined the picket line. 

At the Maywood Street line, workers are chanting, “on admitted students day, give us better wage.” This strike location is located directly across the street from the admissions building. 

Around 9:45 a.m., an Amazon delivery truck broke the picket line with the help of Worcester Police, moving the strikers out of the way. When the truck left at 10:15 a.m., the police helped move the strikers out of the way. Two more delivery trucks arrived this morning; one went past the picket line, and another was delivered from the curb. 

At 10 a.m., the Graduate Student Union announced they stand in solidarity with the undergraduate workers. They first stated “We first acknowledge that Article 8 of our contract prohibits Graduate Workers from encouraging any other strikes at Clark University. However, we are not prohibited from decrying the blatantly anti-union and anti-intellectual policies of Clark University.” To read more, visit the Graduate Workers Union’s Instagram page: @cugwu_teamsters. 

A striker asked what people do for the school using the largest bullhorn. Various strikers yelled in reply. “I work on the grounds, I make sure the campus looks and smells nice,” “I’m a proctor,” “I work for ITS” The striker with the bullhorn continued, “Let’s sing it for the admin loud and clear.” They began singing we are the workers. “We’ve been out here 30 hours, and we won’t back down!” 

A middle-aged man in a pickup truck yelled “go to a new university then.” In response the picket line yelled “fuck you” in unison. Many cars passing by honk in support of the strike, some even holding a fist out of the window. 

A new picket line has begun on Woodland Street.

March 14 – 12 a.m. 

City council member Etel Haxhiaj joined the picket line. “This is my second time. I was here with the graduate students who were striking, and I came because I feel an obligation to be in solidarity with students. We all need to fight for better wages, and this is not an easy environment for anyone, you all do a lot of work, and you deserve to be considered a bargaining unit and fight for better wages. So I hope Clark University administration stops insulting you, does the right thing, and recognizes you as your bargaining unit,” said Haxhiaj. 

Students will continue to picket overnight. Student worker Kalon Shepard shared, “I’ll be out here for most of the night, but we’re taking shifts and supporting each other. We’re all gonna take our turns.” At 9:50 p.m., the strikers stopped drumming and playing music but continued to chant and walk. Hand warmers, food and warm beverages are being handed out for those picketing in the 30 degree weather. 

At 10:30 p.m., the strike organizers received a letter from City Counselors sent to President David Fithian. This letter stated, “… This is deeply disturbing to learn that Clark University is shrinking from its commitment to social justice and worker rights. I strongly urge you to sign a neutrality card check agreement with the undergraduate workers and Teamsters Local 170…” This letter was signed by City Councilor George J. Russell, Mayor Joseph M. Petty, City Councilor Candy F. Mero-Carlson, City Councilor Khrystian E. King, City Councilor Thu Nguyen, City Councilor Katheleen M. Toomey, and City Councilor Jenny Pacillo. The full letter can be found at the bottom of this page. 

Union Organizer Beatrice, shared, “The funds that are supporting workers who are participating in the strike are through a charitable foundation, that people have donated to have funding support for striking workers who experience economic hardship. They are run by an independent organization. They are not owned by the union whatsoever, and they are available to any workers that are attempting to use a strike to reach recognition.” For students to receive money from the economic relief fund, they sign in and out when they come to strike. 

March 13 – 9 p.m.

From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., three teams of students were cooking dinner for the strikers in Johnson Sanford Center and Maywood Street Hall. The students made Spanish rice and beans, and they made enough to feed 100 people. The team of 23 students hopes to continue this for at least the next two days. Maya Fiallos Wylie, who helped cook, shared, “I signed up to cook for Thursday because I figured it would be a tangible way I could help; I feel most motivated and energized when I can see the physical product of my efforts. This experience reminded me that there are so many ways to help a cause and there is so much that goes into organizing something on this scale!”

This food is helping fuel those on the picket line. An ITS worker, who was asked how many hours they would be striking, shared, “I mean, hopefully as many as I can. Pretty much any moment I’m free… anytime I can be an extra body on the picket.” As well as dinner, there are snacks, drinks, masks, COVID tests, and other free items to aid strikers. 

Thu Nguyen endorsed the strike through a post on Instagram earlier today. Nguyen’s statement began by saying, “As a Clark alum, an organizer who has unionized and served as a union rep before, and a current City Councilor At-Large, who continues to advocate for affordable housing, food security, and bettering the livelihood of Worcester Residents, I am extremely disappointed by Clark University’s decision to push back against the unionizing of undergraduate workers.”

As the sun set several students gave their thoughts on the state of the strike:

An office assistant at the picket line, drumming on an empty Home Depot bucket who wished to stay anonymous, said “I’m hoping this gets done by Saturday… hopefully under a week”

Another student worker who works at the ITS help desk said, “I’ve been a little frustrated by the way they’ve been treating student workers; I’d say that ITS has been one of the luckier (jobs) in terms of how we’ve been treated. But I’ve seen the frustration from my other friends, and I just don’t think that’s something we can allow to continue.”

As of 7:30 p.m., the picket line has condensed to the Main Street front gates for the night. 

As of 8:20 p.m., Clark Undergraduate Student Council Members have joined the picket line. 

March 13 – 5:30 p.m.

At 4:45 p.m., students learned that faculty are sending a letter to the administration demanding they agree to card check neutrality. They are currently looking for additional faculty to sign on in support. The letter will be sent tomorrow.

March 13 – 2 p.m.

Two trucks arrived to deliver goods for the dining services. The picket line is blocking this entrance on Maywood Street. There were six Worcester Police officers present at the time who had been hired by the University to be positioned at the strike locations for as long as the strike was occurring. 

The officers got in between the picket line, so strikers had to move for the truck. “They got more aggressive as we kept walking.” Said one striker. An officer pushed a student when they made space for the delivery truck. 

As of 2 p.m., Information Technology Services (ITS) is now closed for walk-in appointments and services. Students with questions are being referred to [email protected]. 

Throughout the day, chanted. “Get up, get down, Worcester is a union town!” and “Clark University you can’t hide, we can see your greedy side!” They contested.

March 13 – 12:30 p.m.

Many students are participating on the line during their off classroom times, and have been provided with food throughout the day as the strike continues. The Scarlet counted about 75 students picketing at any given time throughout the morning so far. Dean Kamaro Abubakar and Dean Kamala Kiem were both spotted walking around red square, both declined to comment this time.  

“It’s great to see this collective action from a very organized student body, with tons of support from students, workers, faculty, and staff,” Alexa McPherson, an undergraduate buildings and grounds employee at Clark, stated. “We are just hoping Clark will come to the table and negotiate with us.” 

Eli Gillan, a business agent for Teamsters Local 170, was present at the picket lines. “[we are] demanding that Clark treat people with respect, especially the student workers.” He said.

At 10 a.m. this morning, the Goddard Library (floors 2-5) announced that it will be closing at 6 p.m, rather than their typical midnight closing time. It is unconfirmed whether or not this is related to the strike.

Below is the full letter from Worcester City Council members to Clark University President, David Fithian, sent on March 13, 2025.

Dear President Fithian,

We the undersigned members of the Worcester City Council write to you regarding an urgent matter.

It has come to our attention that Clark University is choosing to deny upwards of 680 undergraduate workers well-established employee benefits or protections. These students, residents of Worcester, are also workers that take out trash, open buildings, work in the library, take care of grounds, and work in admissions.

This is deeply disappointing to learn that Clark University is shrinking from its commitment to social justice and worker rights.

I strongly urge you to sign a neutrality card check agreement with the

undergraduate workers and Teamsters Local 170. Such an agreement will empower the workers the opportunity to decide whether to form a representative union.

We look forward to continuing the strong relationship between the City of Worcester and all students and faculty at Clark University.

Sincerely,

George J. Russell

Worcester City Councilor – District 3 

Correction: In all non-quotes, the term “strike fund” was replaced by “economic relief fund”, as per Teamsters request.

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