Updated April 30, 2025, at 2:05 p.m

The Wellesley Organized Academic Workers (WOAW), non-tenured track faculty union, announced today, Apr. 24, that they are returning to the classroom tomorrow after a 29-day strike that began on Mar. 27.

The strike was called off after a unanimous vote by WOAW’s bargaining team to protect vulnerable members from “credible threats,” said Paul Martorelli, Lecturer of Political Science, in an interview with the News.

“The decision to end the strike was voted on unanimously by our bargaining committee in the last 24 hours…It was in the last 24 hours that these threats emerged and were taken seriously,” said Martorelli.

The Union and the College have yet to reach an agreement for a contract and the negotiation is still underway. The next bargaining session is slated for Monday, May 5.*

In an email sent to the college community, Provost Courtney Coile stated that the College is grateful to the Union for ending the strike and looking forward to “welcoming our valued colleagues back to the classroom and to celebrating upcoming milestones such as the last day of classes, commencement, and reunion, together as a community.”  

“Despite the College’s efforts to slow walk negotiations, we have made a lot of progress toward a first agreement in the last few weeks,” the Union said in their bargaining update. 

The classes that students enrolled in four weeks ago will continue, and students who complete these classes will receive 0.5 units of credit, the College told the News in an email. 

“Unfortunately, because some classes have not met for four weeks, there is simply not enough time to make up the required amount of classroom time in the remaining 5 days of classes… Classes that have not met for the required number of minutes will be awarded 0.5 units of credit,” said the College. 

With classes ending next Thursday, May 1st, and final exams nearing, it is unclear whether students are expected to sit for final exams in paused or newly enrolled courses. 

Students are expected to receive a detailed communication later today from the Provost’s office with additional details about their classes and credits. 

Michelle Li ’ 27 said she was confused by the unexpected announcement.

“It’s very disheartening to have seen our professors fighting so hard these past couple of weeks and really not backing down, even though the College has done so many things to try to break the strike and threaten them and divide professors,” said Li. 

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

*Correction made on 4/30: Updated to bargaining session date to May 5 from original date, Apr. 28, after the Union informed the College that they will not meet for negotiations on Apr. 28.