Yesterday we had our first contract negotiations! We began with an opening statement from BC member Greg Given framing the context of our union, the work we do, and what we hope to achieve in our first union contract.
We then agreed on a set of dates and times for bargaining sessions for the remainder of 2024:
- Wednesday, October 2nd 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Wednesday, October 16th 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Thursday, October 31st 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Friday, November 15th 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Monday, December 2nd 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Thursday, December 12th 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Monday, December 16th 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Once we settled on a bargaining schedule for the coming months, we discussed the disastrous practice of time caps (termination of workers based on their time working here at Harvard). For decades, high-quality teachers and researchers have been let go for no reason other than the number of years they have accumulated experience here, even when they and their departments have wanted them to stay.
Members of our union are set to lose their jobs under such policies while we are still negotiating our first contract. In recognition of this, BC member Sara Feldman presented to Harvard a proposed Memorandum of Agreement, which called on them to suspend all term limits on appointments until our first contract is in force. This would ensure that colleagues who are at risk of losing their jobs due to this practice will have a chance to work under the new contract terms—and new appointment structures—that they have earned. While the Harvard team listened to our proposal, they offered no feedback or questions. We look forward to hearing back from them on October 2nd.
We plan on presenting a number of proposals in the next bargaining session. In order for us to finalize those initial proposals, it’s vital you fill out your bargaining survey, if you have not already done so!
In solidarity,
HAW-UAW Bargaining Committee