Labor
NLRB Rejects Petition Seeking to Decertify Harvard Security Guards’ Union, Prompting Appeal
The National Labor Relations Board denied a petition seeking to decertify the union representing around 300 contracted security workers at the University, 32BJ Service Employees International Union.
Harvard Security Officer Files Petition Seeking to Decertify Union
A Harvard security worker filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board this month seeking to decertify the union that represents around 300 contracted security workers at the University, 32BJ Service Employees International Union.
Harvard is Home to 13,000 Workers. Some of Them are its Students, Too.
When he’s not working shifts as a custodian at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Luis M. Toribio — a native Spanish speaker — takes classes on the weekends through Harvard to hone his English skills and practice pronunciation. Two years ago, he said, he struggled to communicate in English — but today, he proudly exclaims he can now do an entire interview in English.
Harvard Police Union and University to Enter Federal Mediation in Contract Negotiations
More than a year after Harvard’s contract with its police union expired, the two sides are set to enter federal mediation in their negotiations over a new contract.
Harvard Security Guards Narrowly Vote to Ratify Contract Offer from Securitas
After months of impasse, Harvard security guards voted last week to ratify a contract offer from Securitas, which employs around 300 contracted security workers who are stationed across the school.
Harvard’s Covid-19 Paid Leave Benefits, Pay for Idled Workers Set to Expire April 1
Two weeks after Harvard lifted indoor mask mandates, the University is set to end its Coronavirus Workplace Policies, which will eliminate emergency paid sick leave benefits and partial compensation for some employees who were involuntarily idled by the pandemic.
Backed by Local Officials, Harvard Unions Revive Push to Merge
Two Harvard unions representing workers in the Harvard Art Museums and Campus Services revived their push for a merger, bolstered by a petition signed by 136 members and a statement of support from the Cambridge Mayor.
Comaroff Controversy Reignites Union Calls for Sexual Misconduct Recourse
Several Harvard faculty members gathered in a lecture hall last Friday — but not to teach a class. Rather, they were there to learn about graduate students’ calls for changes to Harvard's sexual harassment reporting process.
Harvard Graduate Student Union Elects New Leadership
Harvard’s graduate student union elected a new executive board last week, replacing a leadership team that guided the group through two contentious years of contract negotiations.
Union Representing Harvard Security Guards Marred by Internal Tensions as Contract Negotiations Falter
Tensions within 32BJ — which represents around 300 Harvard security workers and 700 custodians — have come to a head in recent months, with the union’s bargaining committee openly denouncing its leadership.
Harvard Security Guards Strike Down ‘Insulting’ Securitas Contract Offer
Harvard security guards overwhelmingly voted down a union contract offer from Securitas on Monday, sending the two sides back to the bargaining table after nearly four months of negotiations.
Ten Stories That Shaped 2021
At Harvard, 2021 was a year marked by change. The school’s long-awaited return to in-person operations injected new life into a campus that had been left dormant for over a year by Covid-19. And in an unexpected shift, the University announced its intention to divest its endowment from fossil fuels after a decade of public pressure. Separately, faculty controversies — including a federal conviction and a high-profile departure — ignited debates that rippled across academia. Below, The Crimson looks back at the 10 stories that shaped the last year at Harvard.
Custodians Reach Tentative Contract Agreement with Harvard
The union representing Harvard’s custodial workers reached a four-year tentative agreement for a contract with the University Friday, securing wage increases.
‘A Wide Range of Experiences’: Harvard Clerical and Technical Workers Incorporate Remote Work
Harvard’s more than 5,000 unionized clerical and technical workers have faced different transitions back to working on campus. Juggling health guidelines as well as employees’ needs and preferences, many departments switched — temporarily or permanently — to hybrid arrangements.
Custodians, Security Officers Rally To Demand Pay Increases As Contracts Near Expiration
More than 80 custodians, security guards, local officials, and union supporters marched in Harvard Yard Tuesday to demand higher wage increases from the University.
Harvard Grad Student Union Ratifies 4-Year Contract With 70.6% Approval
Harvard’s graduate student union ratified a four-year contract with the University in a vote that ended Saturday, with 70.6 percent of voters in support.
On Eve of Ratification Vote, Grad Students Divided on Tentative Contract Agreement
Harvard graduate student union members remain split ahead of the vote on whether to ratify the tentative contract agreement reached Monday.
Garber Calls Grad Student Union Tentative Agreement ‘Very Fair’ as Members Prepare to Vote
As Harvard’s graduate student union prepares to vote on a tentative agreement reached with the University, Provost Alan M. Garber ’76 called the proposed deal “very fair” and said he hopes to avoid a second disruptive strike.
Harvard Clerical and Technical Workers Ratify One-Year Contract
After some internal contention over its latest tentative agreement, Harvard’s clerical and technical workers union voted to ratify the new one-year contract Wednesday, securing raises, lump-sum bonuses, tax relief on certain Harvard classes, retroactive sick days, and new diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.
Rep. Pressley, Supporters Call on Harvard to Raise Staff Wages at Tuesday Rally
Nearly 200 demonstrators, including U.S. Rep. Ayanna S. Pressley (D-Mass.), other elected officials, undergraduates, and union supporters, called on Harvard to offer higher wages to its custodial workers and security officers at a rally in Harvard Yard Tuesday afternoon.
Harvard Graduate Student Union Threatens Another Strike Beginning Nov. 16
Just 10 days after its last strike, Harvard’s graduate student union announced a new strike deadline Monday — if the University does not address its “unfair labor practices” and offer an “acceptable deal” by Nov. 16, student workers will go on a “strike of undetermined length.”
Harvard Clerical and Technical Workers Raise Opposing Views on One-Year Tentative Agreement
Ahead of a vote on a one-year tentative agreement with the University, some members of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers are calling on their leadership to negotiate a higher raise, while others say accepting the 2.9 percent raise will provide immediate relief.
The Grad Student Strike is Over. What’s Next for Student Workers?
Harvard’s graduate student union reflected on its three-day strike at a membership-wide meeting Tuesday evening, discussing the University’s request for strikers to log hours of work withheld and next steps, including the possibility for a second strike.
Strike Day 3: Demonstrators Interrupt Bacow’s Parents’ Weekend Speech
More than three dozen students and supporters of the graduate student union interrupted a speech by University President Lawrence S. Bacow in Sanders Theatre Friday afternoon.
Picketers at Smith Campus Center
On both Wednesday and Thursday, picketers circled around the entrance to the Smith Campus Center, attempting to prevent Harvard affiliates from entering the building. This picketing technique forces others to “cross the picket line” in order to attend lectures, visit office hours, or access labs.