[act-ma] Support the Harvard Hunger Strike! 5/4 Day 2

[Michael GW]

SUPPORT THE HARVARD HUNGER STRIKE

Tell Harvard: Take Responsibility! Feed Your Workers, Feed Your Students

Yesterday, 11 students at Harvard University began an indefinite hunger strike
in support of hundreds of newly unionized security guards at Harvard, in their
fight to win a first contract with fair wages, steady full-time work, fair
procedures, and the right to organize for all workers.

The strike coincides with yesterday's decision by AlliedBarton, a private
security firm contracted by Harvard, to walk away from the bargaining table.
The strike will last until Harvard takes responsibility for the conditions of
workers on its campus and makes a public statement supporting the basic
standards demanded by guards and students.

Outsourced security officers at Harvard make $2-8 less than other service
workers on campus, and $5-6 less than guards at comparable area universities.
They have the lowest wages on campus, and until this year, they did not have a
union. Harvard's response? "Not our problem."

Last semester, after being outsourced for years and losing union representation,
officers joined with students to win the right to organize and, ultimately,
elected a union! Now, AlliedBarton is even denying them that - misclassifying
32 guards as "managers" just to keep them out of the union. Harvard's response?
Again: "Not our problem."

Students, workers, and community members are standing up for security. We
believe security begins with justice. We believe that it IS Harvard's
responsibility to ensure decent working conditions on our campus. So far, 23
student organizations and 1200 students, faculty, alumni and community members
have said they agree with us. And there are more of us every day.

Security guards have gone without for too long - now students will go without
until workers have what they need. Now is the time to STAND FOR SECURITY!

For more information about the campaign and the latest press coverage:
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/u7zw44K1XPyR/

Here are three things you can do to help:

1. Sign the petition! http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/u7zw44K1XPyR/

2. Call in!

Harvard President Derek Bok, 617-495-1502
Call Director of Labor Relations Bill Murphy, 617-496-9193
Call AlliedBarton Security: 610-239-1100

Sample Script:
Hello. My name is ______ and I am a student at _______. I am
writing to express my support for Harvard security officers as
they bargain for a better contract. They are members of the
Harvard community and they should be rewarded fairly for the
hard work they do. Security officers deserve wages as high as
any other service workers on campus, safe and sanitary working
conditions, full-time employment, fair procedures, and the right
to organize! I am appalled that a university that purports to
hold so much wisdom could be so ignorant of the basic needs and
rights of people. It's time to stop denying your responsibility
and start standing for security!

3. Write in!

President Derek Bok
derek_bok at harvard.edu

Directory of Labor Relations William Murphy
bmurphy at camail.harvard.edu

AlliedBarton CEO William Whitmore
http://www.alliedbarton.com/contact-us-general.aspx?form=Clients

Sample Letter:

I am writing to express my support for Harvard security officers
as they bargain for a better contract. They are members of this
community, they are fathers and mothers, they are friends and
neighbors, and they should expect to be rewarded fairly for the
hard work they do. $12.68/hour is not nearly enough; paying
basic bills should not be a daily struggle. Security officers
deserve wages as high as any other service workers on campus,
safe and sanitary working conditions, full-time employment, fair
procedures, and the right to organize! Would you accept anything
less for yourselves?

I am appalled that a university that purports to hold so much
wisdom could be so ignorant of the basic needs and rights of
people. I am appalled that a university that believes all
students should be trained in "moral reasoning" could reason so
immorally. Stop denying your responsibility and start standing
for security!