As we approach the one-year mark of this bargaining process, the Administration is moving slow because they think they can get away with it. Administration is dragging their feet on crucial proposals like Discrimination and Harassment (since Feb. 24), Non-Citizen Workers’ Rights (since Mar. 23), and Academic Freedom (since June 2). In our most recent bargaining session this past Monday, they responded to only two of 14 outstanding proposals. They also continue to ignore numerous requests for information (RFI)—some over a year old—that are essential to the bargaining process, especially for our preparation on economic aspects of the contract.

It is becoming increasingly clear we need to pressure the administration to get the important protections we need against overwork, discrimination, and replacement by AI. Here’s how you can help today:

  • Sign the Contract Now Petition! It might feel like a small thing, but it’s a crucial initial step to prove to admin that you are paying attention and demand a fair contract.
  • Harvard says “stipendees provide no work or service to the University.” Can you convince admins otherwise? Volunteer to attend and/or testify at our next Bargaining Session, 2–5 PM on September 18 (RSVP to attend or speak). We are hoping to get as many researchers there as possible. You can join by Zoom or in-person at the session in Harvard Square. Show up to prove to admin that you refuse to be excluded, or to support your colleagues!

After opening the session with questions about these outstanding RFIs, we offered counter-proposals on Evaluations, Employment Records, Union Access and Rights, and Artificial Intelligence. This final counter-proposal is especially important, as it responds to the administration’s proposed Memorandum of Understanding that would offer us no protections from AI surveillance, processing, theft of intellectual property, or even replacement. Despite the administration’s claim that AI provisions are unusual in union contracts, BC member Leslie explained that many of the protections we seek are actually quite consistent with well-established union protections against automation in other industries.

The administration arrived at the bargaining session with just two counter-proposals, on Access Needs and Appointment Notification and Security. During the session we offered a further counter on Access Needs, and adjusted our counter on Evaluations, in an attempt to reach tentative agreements on both, but the administration did not immediately accept either.

In solidarity,

HAW-UAW Bargaining Committee

PS – Join us for an ice cream social TODAY at 4PM in the Northwest courtyard! Come eat ice cream, meet other HAW-UAW members, and learn about how you can get involved in our contract campaign.