Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, joined Wellesley non-tenure track (NTT) faculty on the Wellesley Organized Academic Workers (WOAW) picket line on April 1.

“No matter what sector we bargain in, it’s the same issue – the bosses don’t want to share,” Fein told the crowd gathered at the Central St. entrance.

In a statement to the News, he reiterated the link between unions across industries. “The fight is the same,” said Fein. “It may be a different business, but it’s about having dignity on the job.”

Fein’s message of support from unions in other sectors was underscored by the crowd in attendance at the rally. 

Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants, spoke at the picket line, and members of the UAW and Boston Teachers’ Union were in attendance. 

UPS, which is unionized, has also paused deliveries to the Mail Center for the duration of the strike.

State Senator Lydia Edwards made her second appearance on the picket line. She previously addressed WOAW on March 28, saying, “This is part of my continued work for collective movement to continue to bend the arc towards justice.”

Many of the speakers linked WOAW’s negotiations with Wellesley College administration to the broader political environment.

“We’re at a critical juncture in America right now,” said Fein. “The richest man in the world is calling the shots. Every protection for workers is under attack, our free speech is under attack, our right to organize is under attack – everything we do is under attack right now.”

Speakers also commented on how NTT faculty, who are more likely to be women than their tenured counterparts, to the historical undercompensation of positions considered “women’s work.”

Katie Hall, a distinguished senior lecturer in the physics department, remarked, “This is a women’s college that is paying a position that is traditionally considered women’s work sixty-seven cents on the tenure-track dollar.”

In addition to those who spoke on the picket line, other politicians have shown their support for WOAW online.

Elizabeth Warren, the senior US senator from Massachusetts, endorsed the WOAW in a post posted to X on March 28.

“Our educators work hard to support their students and their communities, and they deserve a contract that recognizes that hard work,” wrote Senator Warren, adding, “When workers fight, workers win.”

Senator Warren ran on a progressive economic platform, including a proposal to allocate a portion of board seats for workers at large companies. 

Jocelyn Benson ‘99, Michigan’s secretary of state and a Wellesley alumna who delivered the 2023 commencement address, also voiced her support in a video posted to the United Auto Workers (UAW) Youtube channel on March 24, stating, “I know Wellesley is a place that shaped who I am today, and I know it will do better.”

Secretary Benson’s endorsement comes as she is campaigning for governor of Michigan, the state where the UAW was founded in 1935.

On March 11 following the WOAW campus rally, Senator Ed Markey, the junior senator from Massachusetts, posted on X, “I am in solidarity with @UAWRegion9A workers at Wellesley College as they negotiate for a fair first contract.”

Senator Markey reiterated his support for WOAW on March 28 after the strike began, stating on X, “I am in solidarity with @WOAWUAW workers on the picket line at Wellesley today.”

The Wellesley News previously reported that WOAW has tentative plans to invite Senator Warren, Senator Markey, and Secretary Benson to speak at the picket line. 

When asked whether the union has plans to invite Senators Warren and Markey, Erin Battat, a senior lecturer in the Writing Program, told the News, “Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us at the picket line.”

The offices of Senator Warren and Senator Markey have not confirmed their appearances at the picket lines.

The Union believes public endorsements are effective strategies to put pressure on the College while helping motivate non-tenure track faculty as the strike continues.

“Public support from any member of the community who supports labor, whether that be students or national politicians or anyone in between, really buoys our morale because it reminds us that we’re not doing this for ourselves, we’re doing this for our students,” said Paul Martorelli, a lecturer in the Political Science department.

WOAW continues to receive statements of solidarity from unions at other universities, including the Boston University Graduate Workers Union (BUGWU) and Contract Faculty United (CFU-UAW), the union for full-time continuing contract faculty at New York University.

WOAW is also supported by the Massachusetts branch of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), a federation of unions affiliated with UAW.

Noufeesa Yahyaoui contributed to reporting.

Correction: “The offices of Senator Warren and Senator Markey have not responded to requests for comment.” has been changed to “The offices of Senator Warren and Senator Markey have not confirmed their appearances at the picket lines.” for clarity purposes.

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Sazma Sarwar and Valida Pau.