Harvard Occupy Celebrates, Looks Toward Future

Harvard Occupiers and members of the Student Labor Action Movement will gather to celebrate the custodial workers’ new contract on Tuesday. But with the most visible Occupy goal achieved and Thanksgiving break looming, the movement faces a transitional moment.

Janitors Win New Contract

After two weeks of rallies, protests, and threats to strike, Harvard custodians reached a tentative, five-year contract agreement with the University on Tuesday night, just an hour and a half before their current contract was set to expire.

Custodial Staff May Strike When Contract Expires

Custodial workers have threatened to strike if they cannot reach an agreement with the University by 12 a.m. Wednesday morning, when the custodial contract expires. Their threat to strike was followed by a rally around the outside of Harvard Yard on Saturday afternoon, during which custodians and union members chanted and held up signs with such slogans as “Justice for Janitors” and “Yes We Can”.

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Harvard custodians are asking the University for better health care benefits and more manageable hours, among other things.

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Protesters hold signs at a rally in support of Harvard custodians, who are renegotiating their contract with the University.

Harvard Club of Boston Wait Staff Suing Employer

The wait staff of the Harvard Club of Boston is suing their employer for violating the Massachusetts “Tip Law,” alleging that the club management charged service charges which management then failed to distribute to workers.

Occupy Harvard's First Night

Occupy Harvard's First Night: An Eyewitness Account

Roberto F. Velez '03, a teaching fellow in the Visual and Environmental Studies Department, shot this video of last Wednesday's Occupy Harvard protest depicting the night as it unfolded.

In Final Week of Bargaining, Custodians Express Concerns

As custodians enter their final week of bargaining over their union’s contract with Harvard, union leaders say there are a number of issues on which the University and workers have not yet reached an agreement.

HUPD Lays Off Two Police Officers

Harvard recently lost an arbitration regarding employees’ payment and benefits with the Harvard University Police Association, the union which represents the police.

HLS Refutes Labor Union's Claims

A Harvard Law School internal investigation concluded that the majority of complaints made by Law School custodians in September—which included ...

Custodians Seek Better Contract

Over 400 Harvard-affiliated custodial workers signed a petition “in support of a just contract,” which a delegation of approximately ten custodians and union members then presented to University President Drew G. Faust’s office on Monday.

Union Protests Changes to Health Care Package

The University plans to increase the price of a health care plan for some Harvard retirees, a move objected to by the Harvard Union of Technical and Clerical Workers.

Students Launch Campaign on Wages at 375th Celebration

Student Labor Action Movement members hung signs from freshman dormitories and handed out fliers that championed workers’ rights.

Custodians Protest Cuts in the Number of Hours Worked

A delegation of almost ten Harvard Divinitiy School custodians went to the school’s building manager on Thursday to protest what they are calling “unnecessary” cuts in the number of hours worked by the custodial staff.