arvard’s graduate student union began it’s strike last Tuesday after the University failed to meet their demands by their set midnight deadline. Now, just over a week of the strike, there are no signs of its end, even with the most recent scheduled bargaining session on Tuesday. Marked by picketing across campus, the first week of the strike created changes in classes and staffing, and continued through campus events like Visitas.

Tuesday, April 21st

Union members established the picket in front of the Science Center on Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. – marking the beginning of the strike. Demonstrators carried a variety of signs, many of which read “UAW ON STRIKE” and donned red union t-shirts.

Nearly 100 graduate student workers circled the Science Center plaza on Tuesday afternoon, being the first of the larger demonstrations.

Wednesday, April 22nd

After the Harvard University Police Department held an event celebrating the birthday of their public relations dog Sasha, bargaining committee member Denish K. Jaswal brought her dog to the picket lines.

Union organizers picketed delivery drivers at various mail drop-off points near the Science Center, forcing many to turn away. Wednesday also saw the picketers move across campus to Widener Library and Sever Hall, continuing chants and noisemaking.

HGSU travelled through the yard to form a picket line of more than 100 people in front of Smith Campus Center on Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday, April 23rd

More than 130 demonstrators gathered at a midday rally in the Science Center Plaza on Thursday. After collective chanting, State Rep. Mike L. Connolly, Cambridge City Councilor Jivan G. Sobrinho-Wheeler, State Rep. Marjorie C. Decker, and Massachusetts State House candidate and former HGSU-UAW president Evan C. MacKay ’19 spoke in support of demonstrators.

Demonstrators added more musical instruments on Thursday, incorporating kazoos and a drum kit into their picketing.

Friday, April 24th

On the fourth day of the strike, a group of roughly 20 demonstrators relocated to University Hall, picketing in front of the John Harvard statue. Tourists continued to visit the picket-lined parts of campus, taking tours and capturing photographs.

Striking graduate workers marched from the Yard to 124 Mt. Auburn St. on Friday afternoon to picket outside a Harvard Undergraduate Workers Union-United Auto Workers bargaining session. On the way back to the Yard from 124 Mt. Auburn Street, picketers chanted and waved signs as they walked through the alley and onto the street.

Saturday, April 25th

Graduate student workers paused picketing Saturday before resuming demonstrations Sunday during Visitas, Harvard’s admitted students event.

Sunday, April 26th

Demonstrators began picketing in the Science Center plaza at 8 a.m. Throughout the day, picketing continued amidst club tabling, later being joined by the Harvard University Marching Band.

Demonstrators moved to Memorial Hall in attempts to confront Garber on his arrival and exit at his 11 a.m. Visitas Welcome address.

Monday, April 27th

Union organizers stopped picketing midday Monday for a rally jointly held with the Student Labor Action Movement, calling on the University to meet the graduate students’ demands.

Monday’s demonstrations saw a markedly increased police presence at its peak, with roughly five Harvard police officers standing by as picketing continued.

Tuesday, April 28th

Harvard has increased its wage offer and proposed a new package of graduate student benefits — the first major movement at the bargaining table since the start of the strike. However, this fell short of the graduate student’s demands and the strike will continue indefinitely. Harvard and HGSU-UAW are scheduled to meet for more bargaining sessions on May 14, May 29, June 9, and June 23.