Breaking News: Fast Ends as (Stanford) University promises to expand living wage

[Omaha Steve]

http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2007/4/20/breakingNewsFastEndsAsUniversityPromisesToExpandLivingWage

Breaking News: Fast Ends as University promises to expand living wage
Protestors nibble on bread after one lost 19 pounds; University avoids having to require that contractors provide "living wage"
April 20, 2007
By Niraj Sheth

After nine days, and dozens of missed meals, the nine remaining participants of the hunger strike organized by the Stanford Labor Action Coalition (SLAC) broke fast, after the student group reached an agreement Friday afternoon with the University regarding Stanford’s living wage policy.

In his third personal meeting with student representatives, President John Hennessy agreed to make multiple changes to the existing policy, with the effect of broadening the number of contracted workers who earn a minimum wage of $11.15 an hour with benefits, or $12.59 without.

The fasters, many of whom had not eaten in more than a week, munched on toast after they were checked out by doctors at the Vaden Health Center. Although none were reported in ill health, according to SLAC, one participant reportedly lost 19 pounds over the nine-day period.

While both the University and SLAC generally celebrated the agreement, it does come as a compromise for both sides.

“I think this shows that when people sit around a table and discuss issues that are important, they can reach some compromise,” said Alan Acosta, director of University Communications. “It may not be the absolute everything that either side wanted, but it shows that when you sit down and discuss issues that are important, you can reach some resolutions and improve them.”

FULL stary at link.