[act-ma] WED 12/1 5 PM WOMEN WORKERS UNDER ATTACK AT HARVARD!!

[Geoff Carens]

Dear All,

Harvard is celebrating a recent $50 million gift from the Tata group, and
the purchase of a huge dairy farm in New Zealand for $34.15 million. The
University has lately more than tripled its holdings in cash and US
Treasuries, to $1 billion. Harvard's endowment climbed 11 percent in the
last FY, adding $1.4 billion for a total of $27.4 billion.

In the context of all this wealth, workers from Harvard's majority-female
clerical union, who were laid off in the summer of '09, still struggle to
find work. Harvard refuses to take many of these laid off workers back,
despite contractual provisions that grant them hiring preference. Other
clerical workers, especially women over 40, report discriminatory firings
and illegal retaliation for union activity. On Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m.
HUCTW members, students and community members will demand justice for our
union sisters:

Marian Merullo -- laid off after 22 years' dedicated service in Widener
Library. Has applied for at least 20 Harvard jobs, without any success, even
though a union/mgmt committee said she should be rehired. Marian faces
losing her home.

Joan Frankel -- unfairly fired after 25 years of excellent work. Joan's
termination letter blames her for making a helpful suggestion to save
Harvard money. This was called "insubordination." Joan has filed an age
discrimination lawsuit.

Phebe Eckfeldt -- was formally disciplined for the first time in 15 years,
right after she became a union rep and started assisting co-workers. Phebe
had great feedback on her work until she dared become an activist. She has
filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the Natl. Labor Relations Board.

Please join us! Our action will take place at 5 p.m., in front of Harvard's
Holoyke Center, 1350 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, next to Au Bon Pain and half a
block from the Harvard Square Red Line T. Riot Folksinger Evan Greer will
perform!

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104036879667380

Harvard No Layoffs Campaign Blog: http://harvardnolayoffs.blogspot.com/

Please forward this message as widely as possible!

In Solidarity,

Geoff Carens, Union Rep, HUCTW/AFSCME local 3650









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More Info
Harvard laid off hundreds of workers in June '09. Since that time union
representatives have heard more & more reports of massively-increased
workloads, unfair statistical pressure, rapidly escalating, arbitrary
discipline, and wrongful, at times discriminatory firings. Even in a mainly
female clerical workforce, the number of women over 40 facing unfair
treatment or the loss of their jobs seems glaringly disproportionate. Three
... of our union sisters need your help December 1:

Marion Merullo -- Laid off in June '09 after almost 23 years of dedicated
service in Widener Library. Has applied for at least 20 clerical jobs but
can't get rehired, even though a union/mgmt committee said she should be.

Joan Frankel -- Unfairly fired July '10 after 25 years of excellent work.
Joan's termination letter blamed her for making a helpful suggestion, trying
to save HU money! This was called insubordination. Joan is suing HU for age
discrimination.

Phebe Eckfeldt -- Facing retaliatory discipline for becoming a union
activist. Phebe has 15 years experience at Harvard. After being elected a
union rep this year, and helping co-workers, Phebe has been formally
disciplined, supposedly for "gross inefficiency." Phebe does great work, and
she's filed charges with the Natl. Labor Relations Board.

Join us as we show Harvard's management that we won't accept unfair attacks
on working women! Our action takes place Wed. Dec 1 at 5 p.m. in front of
Harvard's Holyoke Center, 1350 Mass. Ave. (next to Au Bon Pain), steps to
Harvard MBTA (red line).
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