Harvard vows to fire “time-capped” union members: we’re fighting back
We have major news. As you probably know, bargaining has begun—and today (October 2), the Bargaining Committee met with Harvard for a second time to continue working towards a fair contract for all of us. They will be in touch tomorrow with a full update from today’s session.
Last month, the Bargaining Committee presented our first proposal, calling for a moratorium on the “time cap” policy under which non-tenure-track teaching faculty in FAS and SEAS are arbitrarily fired after 2 to 8 years, depending on the position. We called on Harvard to suspend the policy until bargaining is complete. There is widespread and long-standing opposition across the university to this cruel and harmful policy, and we don’t believe it’s fair that our employer is—right now—posting ads for some of our jobs while we’re bargaining for our first contract.
Sadly, Harvard rejected our proposal outright. Their negotiations team said they don’t see “a compelling reason…to deviate from maintaining the status quo.”
We’ve had enough of the status quo. Despite what Harvard says, it’s not normal or acceptable routinely to fire employees on the basis of length of service alone. We are not disposable, and like our colleagues across the University dealing with unrelenting hours in labs or precarious one-year visa appointments, we deserve job security now!
It’s time for Harvard to listen.
What can you do to help?
- First, please sign our petition calling for an end to time caps! All teachers, researchers, staff, faculty, students, and alumni are invited to sign. Please ask colleagues to sign as well!
- Fill out your bargaining survey! This is still the best way to make your voice heard and help us win a fair contract. The survey only takes about 5 minutes to complete.
- If you’re interested in getting involved in our fight, please reply to this email! We need all hands on deck to win a great contract.
In solidarity,
Organizing Committee, HAW-UAW