Local News

Lesley University faculty set for two-day strike

Union members say they need livable wages and manageable workloads.

Lesley University’s Doble Campus, one of three clustered between Harvard Square and Porter Square. Lane Turner / The Boston Globe

By Beth Treffeisen

April 28, 2026 | 11:02 AM

2 minutes to read

Lesley University’s core faculty is launching a two-day strike starting Tuesday, after nearly two years of stalled contract talks. The walkout comes as the university faces financial troubles, falling enrollment, and last week’s announcement that its president is stepping down.

“We love our jobs, but every day, we’re being asked to do more with less under conditions that are simply not sustainable,” Catalina Tang, an assistant professor in counseling and psychology, said in a statement.

“When faculty lose their voice in the workplace, students lose the quality of their education,” she continued. “This action is about restoring learning back to the center of the university.”

SEIU 509, a union of human service providers and educators in the state, represents 82 faculty members at the Cambridge university. In mid-April, the majority of faculty members voted to authorize a strike. They will walk off the job at 1 p.m. Tuesday and gather for a rally.

Faculty demands include livable wages, manageable workloads, and a successorship clause that would retain their union contract in the event of an acquisition.

“Throughout this process, our goals have remained consistent: to support the strength of Lesley’s academic community and to reach an agreement that is competitive with our peer institutions,” Lesley University said in a statement in response to the authorization vote.

The university said it is committed to continuing discussions, ensuring continuity for students, and supporting their completion of the academic year.

Lesley University did not have an additional comment following the news of the strike.

SEIU 509 filed five unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging multiple issues, including unilateral changes that affect workloads.

In 2023, Lesley University faced a $10 million budget deficit, leading to several votes of no confidence in the president, layoffs, program cuts, and the sale of 24 properties over three years.

The school has also experienced a more than 30% decline in enrollment between 2015 and 2022, according to the 2024 Private College Viability App.

Julie Shoemaker, an associate professor of Earth and environmental science, said that management came to the table nearly two years ago with a zero-percent wage increase proposal.

“They have shown that they do not value the contributions of the workers who keep this university running,” she said in a statement. “You can’t build a sustainable academic community when faculty are treated as disposable.”