About That Raise...

Editor's Note: A week ago, The Crimson explained why the University should agree to the 4 percent pay raise asked for by the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers. In the staff editorial, we said the University's negotiator "appear[ed] willing to accept the pay hike, but only in exchange for the union's acceptance of a slash in seniority pay." We used "appear" since University flacks have been so truculent about keeping details of Harvard's position quiet.

Two days later, Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs John Shattuck burst forth with an entire paragraph discussing the University's position. He said Harvard was willing to include a seniority pay increase as "an integral part" of the 4 percent raise.

Although we appreciate this new spirit of glasnost emerging from Mass Hall, it seems that Shattuck's letter, to borrow a phrase, may rest on a misunderstanding about the University's position.

According to union officials, Harvard has proposed a base pay increase near 4 percent but only with a 50 percent decrease of seniority pay (referred to as "progression" pay). In fact, in the flurry of proposals that have reportedly been offered by each side, Harvard hasn't accepted a 4 percent base pay raise without a change in progression, which is what our staff called for.

Obviously someone is lying here. We wonder who.