After Delay, Graduate Union Accepts Four New Bargaining Sessions

Harvard’s student union agreed to four additional bargaining sessions with Harvard, scheduled for May 14, May 29, June 9, and June 23 — more than three weeks after the University first proposed the dates on April 1.

HGSU-UAW bargaining committee member Denish K. Jaswal said the delay in accepting the session was partly due to logistical challenges, including coordinating a bargaining committee that spans multiple schools during the summer.

She also pointed to prior scheduling disputes: the union declined a January session proposed by Harvard and said the University did not accept three alternative dates it proposed.

“It is not the goal of any one of us to be on strike,” Jaswal said. “A strike is a last resort.”

Jaswal criticized what she described as a “complete lack of urgency” in negotiations, writing that delays could begin to affect students’ academics.

“These are not dates that will help end a strike before there is a significant grading crisis for this University,” Jaswal said.