Move-in day can already be stressful for college students, but it may be even more so at a Boston-area university this year.
Resident assistants at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, went on strike Tuesday, with dozens of people holding up signs outside of the Joyce Cummings Center as new students moved into their dorms.
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"I really hope that they get what they want, I know its a really stressful job," said first year Spiros Hallax, whose mom was an RA when she went to college.
Talks have been going on between the university and the RAs since February — each time, both sides have left the negotiating table without an agreement. Monday was the last hope, but the RAs said that university leaders declined to meet with them, leaving them no choice but to go on strike on Tuesday.
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The RAs are asking for money. They already have their rooms paid for during the academic year, but they say they also need a stipend.
A spokesperson representing the RA's union said that with what they're required to do — complete administrative tasks and in some cases help with mental health crises — it's only right they receive more compensation.
The university responded to the request by offering a specialized meal plan instead, citing that a room-and-board plan both aligns with their values as an institution and is in line with best practices and industry standards.
"The University has only agreed to give us 80 meal swipes as compensation — 80 meal swipes is a meal every other day for us," said Anisha Uppal-Sullivan, a junior who has been RA for two years
The RAs declined, picketing on one of the days they're needed the most.
A university spokeswoman said in a statement that new contracts can take a long time to negotiate and that those conversations will continue: “The University has been actively engaged in negotiating its first contract with the union and responding directly to specific workplace concerns. However, first-time contracts often take up to a year to negotiate. The University has made a number of proposals and offered dates to continue to bargain. The University will continue to coordinate with the union on next steps to reach an equitable agreement.”
Another negotiating session between the two sides was scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m.
