Hunger Strike at Georgetown University Reaches Eighth Day

WASHINGTON - A hunger strike is in its eighth day at Georgetown University, as students continue to demand a living wage for university workers.

Students reaffirmed their intention at a noontime rally Tuesday to shun food until cafeteria, custodial and security workers are paid a living wage of about $14 an hour. The range now is from about $7 to just over $11 an hour.

Students say they don't buy the university's contention that little can be done.

Students began Tuesday's rally with a weigh in. Rally organizers say total weight loss has been 270 pounds. One student has been hospitalized since the hunger strike began, but organizers say the student is fine.

A university spokeswoman says Georgetown plans to increase wages to $14 an hour by July 2007, but can't do it immediately because it's not budgeted, and to do so could negatively impact services.

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton expressed solidarity with students, and told them she was proud of the stand they were taking. Norton, who teaches at Georgetown, promised to talk with the school president.

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