Harvard students campaign for a living wage, 1998-2002

lang: en

Summary

From 1998 to 2002, Harvard students organized the Living Wage Campaign to demand a minimum wage of $10 per hour for all university employees. Through sustained nonviolent actions including rallies, occupations, and a three-week sit-in, the campaign pressured the administration to adopt wage increases. By 2002, 95% of Harvard workers received a living wage, though an official university-wide policy was not enacted.

Background

In 1998, most Harvard employees earned minimum wage (around $6.50/ h o u r), w hi c h w a s in s u f f i c i e n tt o l i v eo nin C amb r i d g e, M a ss a c h u se tt s . S t u d e n t s, l e d b y t h e P r o g r ess i v e S t u d e n t L ab or M o v e m e n t, l a u n c h e d t h e L i v in g W a g e C am p ai g n t o d e man d a w a g eo f$ 10 per hour or more for all workers. The target was the Harvard Administration, which refused to negotiate initially.

What happened

The campaign began in fall 1998 with interviews and information distribution. [source: nv-database] In February 1999, the LWC sent a letter to President Neil Rudenstine, who dismissed their request. [source: nv-database] In March 1999, ten campaigners interrupted a Junior Parents’ Weekend speech to deliver a five-minute speech about low wages, receiving applause. [source: nv-database] The Cambridge City Council then urged Harvard to adopt a living wage, but Rudenstine only appointed an ad hoc faculty committee. [source: nv-database] In April 1999, the LWC held rallies and demonstrated with the Harvard security union. [source: nv-database] During an admitted students meeting, they presented Rudenstine with a ‘Worst Employer In Boston’ award. [source: nv-database] In May 1999, the Cambridge City Council passed a living wage ordinance for city employees, but Harvard ignored it. [source: nv-database] 115 faculty members publicly endorsed the living wage. [source: nv-database] At graduation, a banner reading ‘Harvard Needs a Living Wage’ was flown over the ceremony. [source: nv-database] Over the summer, alumni pledged to withhold donations. [source: nv-database] In October 1999, the LWC demonstrated with the janitors’ union. [source: nv-database] In December, they serenaded administrators with carols about poverty. [source: nv-database] In January 2000, members spoke at a welfare reform conference. [source: nv-database] In March 2000, 30 campaigners held a mock teach-in in administrators’ offices, after which police were stationed nearby. [source: nv-database] In April 2000, the Cambridge City Council again urged Harvard to act, and councilors threatened to block building permits. [source: nv-database] The LWC held a sleep-out with 30 students. [source: nv-database] Later that month, 30 demonstrators occupied the administration office for six hours during an orientation weekend. [source: nv-database] In May 2000, the ad hoc committee rejected a wage standard, offering only a small benefits package. [source: nv-database] The LWC responded with a ‘Workers First’ concert. [source: nv-database] Rudenstine announced his resignation effective June 2001. [source: nv-database] In December 2000, the LWC initiated a meeting of nine Harvard workers’ unions, which agreed to push for a living wage and drafted a Labor Code of Conduct. [source: nv-database] In February 2001, members delivered ‘Love your workers’ Valentines to the President’s house. [source: nv-database] In March 2001, six parents silently held signs at Junior Parents’ Weekend and were asked to leave. [source: nv-database] Twenty LWC members traveled to NYC to demonstrate at corporation offices. [source: nv-database] After Larry Summers was chosen as the new president, over 200 students marched on Loeb House and demanded a living wage. [source: nv-database] On 18 April 2001, 50 students occupied Massachusetts Hall, beginning a three-week sit-in. [source: nv-database] Daily pickets attracted up to 2000 people, and over 400 faculty signed endorsements. [source: nv-database] The sit-in gained national media attention and endorsements from US senators and representatives. [source: nv-database] Hundreds of workers mobilized in support. [source: nv-database] Over 100 alumni staged a mock sit-in at the Harvard Club in NYC. [source: nv-database] On 8 May 2001, the university reached an agreement to form the Katz Committee, which would recommend changes by December 2001. [source: nv-database] The university also agreed to a moratorium on outsourcing and to renegotiate contracts. [source: nv-database] In December 2001, the Katz Committee called for immediate wage increases, affordable benefits, a fair bargaining clause, and equal pay for directly hired and outsourced workers. [source: nv-database] In January 2002, President Summers adopted many proposals but rejected some. [source: nv-database] In February 2002, the LWC organized a Valentine’s Day march and later blocked traffic in Harvard Square. [source: nv-database] The next day, the janitors’ union reached an agreement for $11.35 p er h o u r . [so u r ce : n v - d a t aba se] I n M a y 2002, t h e g u a r d s^{'} u ni o n co n t r a c t r ai se d w a g es t o$ 11.35. [source: nv-database] In June 2002, the dining hall workers’ union contract set a minimum of $10.85. [source: nv-database] The administration agreed to release annual wage data. [source: nv-database] Although an official living wage policy was not implemented, 95% of employees received a living wage by 2002 [source: nv-database].

Key people & organizations

Progressive Student Labor Movement (PSLM)
Living Wage Campaign (LWC)
Harvard workers’ unions
Cambridge City Council
US Senate and House of Representatives
Harvard Administration
Neil Rudenstine
Larry Summers

Tactics used

The campaign combined public demonstrations, occupations, and creative actions (such as mock awards and caroling) to maintain pressure and media attention, while building coalitions with unions, faculty, alumni, and elected officials to amplify their demands. [source: nv-database]

Outcome

Verdict: partial.

The campaign achieved 5 out of 6 points on the success scale, as 95% of workers received a living wage, but an official university-wide policy was not enacted. The sustained nonviolent occupation and broad coalition-building forced the administration to negotiate and implement wage increases through union contracts. [source: nv-database]

Lessons

Sustained nonviolent occupation can force institutional negotiations.
Building coalitions with unions, faculty, alumni, and elected officials amplifies pressure.
Creative and humorous actions (e.g., mock awards, caroling) can maintain public attention and morale.
Escalation from letter-writing to sit-ins can gradually increase leverage.

Sources

Global Nonviolent Action Database — [[nv-database]]

Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.

Sources & verification

nv-database — grounding: primary — license: link-only
Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via worker_casestudies_v2.py

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