Second, we held a rally, designed to show the support for the campaign beyond the university, which was attended by over 200 people from dozens of labor, community, and religious organizations. Both tactics have increased the number of avenues through which Harvard is being pressured. One typical aspect of student campaigns we rejected is negotiations with the administration. Not only are we in no position to negotiate contracts for employees, but we simply are not qualified to bargain with lawyers who make a career out of finding legal loopholes. While it is of course important to be in contact with the administration, it is also necessary to maintain an antagonistic relationship.
Negotiations have another problem.
They have a tendency to create an elite sub-group who possess the vast majority of the information, thus leading to an internal power disparity and, eventually, a stagnating campaign. Through the power we hold as students working in coalition with workers, faculty, alumni, community and religious organizations, and unions, we can force Harvard to implement a living wage. United for a Fair Economy. All rights reserved.