These two and their HUCTW allies say the mail center case shows how the lack of oversight and decentralization that created the casual labor problem continue to frustrate Harvard's attempts to rectify it.

The Mail Order

Problems in the mail center have led to a union appeal and a lawsuit on the part of the fired worker. University labor officials declined comment for this story, in part because of these ongoing proceedings.

This account of the mail center's difficulties was compiled from interviews with union officials, the two aggrieved workers and one worker's attorney.

Where non-union sources on this story exist, they are explicitly noted.

The problems with a lack of labor oversight at the mail center began, according to HUCTW Director Bill Jaeger, when it moved to the Science Center from Weld Hall earlier this decade.

In the new location, union officials say, half the workers were employed by the Science Center and the other half were paid by Harvard Yard Operations--a completely separate entity.

The two workers say there was a lack of oversight in the mail center that allowed these casuals to work as full-time employees without getting the appropriate benefits.