Harvard security guards agree on new deal

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. --Harvard University's security guards agreed to a new contract Wednesday, allowing the school to avoid planned picket lines and civil disobedience during graduation events.

The deal was overwhelmingly approved by the guards, said Lauren Jacobs, director of organizing for the guard's union, SEIU Local 615.

The contract includes a minimum increase of $1.68 per hour, from the previous hourly wage of $12.68, Jacobs said. It also awards pay increases as guards receive higher levels of training, which Jacobs said will help professionalize the industry.

Jennifer Doe, workers rights organizer for Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, said her group called off planned actions once the negotiating team of the guard's union reached an agreement with AlliedBarton, which is contracted by Harvard to provide security.

SEIU Local 615 is a member of the Jobs with Justice coalition.

Doe said 48 people had planned to disrupt traffic during events Wednesday or at commencement Thursday. Other disruptions also were planned.

"It's not something we wanted to do," Doe said of the job actions. "If the negotiating team was happy with (the deal), we thought we could be, too."

AlliedBarton, based in based in King of Prussia, Pa., said in a statement that the deal "positive and mutually beneficial" and provided a fair wage and benefits program.

During negotiations, nine Harvard students staged a nine-day hunger strike to protest the security guards' wages.