[act-ma] TODAY! 5 PM RALLY -- 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, many workers from Harvard's
majority-female clerical union, who were laid off by the scores 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, among them:

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/

Feel free to forward this message everywhere!

In Solidarity,

Geoff Carens, Union Rep, HUCTW/AFSCME local 3650
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