Mount Holyoke workers strike for higher pay, legal fund access

Workers at Mount Holio College went on strike this morning demanding higher wages that keep up with the cost of living. 22 News reporter Nick Antininois joins us live in studio with what they're asking for. Julia, the negotiations battle between the college and workers has been going on for months and no new contract has prompted this strike just a day before classes begin. These strikes include three bargaining units consisting of nearly 200 dining workers, facility workers, and housekeepers. Employees say that they are using the MIT living wage calculator to estimate a fair raise to keep up with the cost of living. They say that would be $24.55 an hour in Hampshire County. They also want access to a legal fund that gives workers legal representation on civic cases involving things like immigration paid for by the employer. Anthony Weidman of Locksmith at Mount Holio College says the protests don't come from a place of greed, but rather a desire to get by more comfortably. We're looking for a living wage and just to be able to pay our bills. Um, at the end of the day, this is what we've been forced to do cuz it doesn't seem like the college wants to um negotiate a with a fair wage. Mount Holio College provided 22 News with a new statement this morning saying, quote, "We remain committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement. We deeply value and recognize the contributions of all of our employees. We will continue to negotiate in good faith with local 32BJ and local UAW 2322 in the hope of reaching a resolution as quickly as possible. We'll have more in-depth of a look at the battle between the two sides starting tonight at 5.