Members of the Undergraduate-Graduate Alliance spoke out in support of University food service and building workers at Pennsylvania Residence Hall at around 6:15 p.m., Thursday evening.

The students were advocating for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73, which represents more than 800 service workers at the University.

Carlos Daniel Rosa, senior in LAS, stood up on one of the tables at the dining hall and shouted to students that he wanted fair contracts for the workers.

“I had no idea the workers made so little money,” Rosa said. “I used to work as a member of the dining hall staff and kitchens are hot. There’s lots of oil on the ground and these workers get frequent burns. They deserve more.”

Flyers distributed by the Undergraduate-Graduate Alliance said workers are earning a yearly salary of $15,000 for their services.

Daniel Werst, member of Undergraduate-Graduate Alliance and freshman in LAS, was arrested. It was later confirmed he would be released on a $190 bail.

The service workers have been negotiating with University administration for the past nine months over improving their contracts.

University president Michael Hogan’s compensation was a main issue that the Undergraduate-Graduate Alliance spoke out on.

Caitlin Rogers, union organizer for SEIU, disagreed with the University’s handling of negotiations.

“The University is choosing to spend money for its administration rather than compensating their lowest paid workers,” Rogers said.

“If they go on strike, this is going to potentially affect the University’s functionality,” Rosa said.

Alex Castro, senior in LAS, talked of a potential picketing involving members of the union on Sunday evening at midnight.

“Starting Monday, there will either be an extended contract or no contract at all,” Castro said. Potential ramifications of the strike could include no food services to students.

“If a strike is scheduled to occur, the dining services will be interrupted,” said Rosa. “Students may not be served meals, garbage may not be picked up, all just weeks before finals.”