"We Won!"

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Literally tasting the fruits of their labors, Georgetown students ended their 9-day hunger strike at noon today with bites of apples and strawberries as they declared victory in their 3-year campaign to win a living wage for campus workers. “We’re really happy,” exhausted but elated hunger striker Mike Wilson told UNION CITY. “It’s been a real roller-coaster the last few days.” Students had walked out of an unproductive negotiating session Tuesday afternoon and, Wilson says, were “shocked” when the Georgetown administration presented a new proposal last night that met nearly all their demands. The proposal came just hours before a midnight deadline for a settlement established by Metro Council President Jos Williams, who vowed to begin leading labor, religious and community activists in a series of 24-hour Solidarity Hunger Strikes today at noon. Highlights of the agreement include a raise to a minimum hourly wage of $13 beginning this July, annual wage adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index, and a clear affirmation of Georgetown's commitment to workers' right to freely associate and organize, as well as a pledge that the University will respect the rights of employees to vote for or against union representation without intimidation. Georgetown also promised not only to provide full-time jobs whenever possible, but to seek commitments from its contract employers to do the same. In other key non-economic wins, all Georgetown workers will now have access to grievance procedures and contract workers will have the same access to Georgetown community resources as Georgetown direct employees, including library privileges, English as a Second Language courses, Georgetown University Transportation Shuttles, and general financial planning information. “We hope this sets a precedent for other schools across the country,” Wilson said. “Meanwhile, we’ll be working to make sure this agreement is fully implemented.” As students danced and sang outside the huge bubble tent that has been their home for the last nine days, their infectious joy brought smiles to the faces of labor, religious, community and administration officials gathered, finally, together. The Georgetown Solidarity Committee will celebrate the Living Wage victory next Friday, April 1; stay tuned for time/location details. Meanwhile, see photos of today's "Breaking the Fast" celebration here. PLUS: read the full policy on Georgetown's website.