Mount Holyoke workers strike for fair wages and conditions

New this morning, college facilities and dining hall workers at Mount Holio College are going on strike in a fight with administrators for a raise. 22 News reporter Nick Antakis is live in South Hadley at the college where workers are gathering now for the strike. Kaylee, Julia, crowds have grown here uh immensely over the past half an hour. Protesters gathering here in front of Mount Holio College asking for higher wages. It's been a monthsl long battle between the college and its workers. These strikes include three bargaining units consisting of nearly 200 dining workers, facility workers, and housekeepers. Employees want higher wages to keep up with the cost of living and say they have used the MIT living wage calculator to estimate a fair amount. They also want access to a legal fund that gives workers access to legal representation on civic cases paid for by the employer. 22 News has been working for you and covered their search for better wages last month. It was then that Holio College gave this statement saying, quote, "Mount Holio College values and recognizes the contributions and all of its employees and has been an active participant in the ongoing contract discussions. Meetings have been held regularly since April, and the college remains committed to reaching a successful conclusion while continuing to provide an exceptional student experience. And all of this is happening ahead of classes starting tomorrow here on the Mount Holio College campus. We'll keep you posted by the half hour with further updates. Working for you live in South Hadley, Nick Antinakis, 22 News.