Catherwood LibraryILR School

After approximately 200 days of negotiations, graduate student workers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement, postponing a strike scheduled for November 12. The proposed contract includes annual wage increases of 3.5%, 3.25%, and 3.25% through 2028, improved healthcare protections, and a $60,000 annual fund to support workers seeking immigration-related legal assistance. Union members had overwhelmingly authorized a strike in October, citing rising housing costs, inadequate compensation, and concerns about protections for international employees. The agreement, which still requires membership ratification, illustrates how the threat of industrial action can strengthen workers' bargaining leverage in higher education.