<font style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" size="2">Dear All,<br><br>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. <span style="line-height: 115%;">The University has lately more than tripled its
holdings in cash and US Treasuries, to $1 billion. </span></font><font style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" size="2">Harvard's endowment climbed 11 percent in the last FY, adding $1.4 billion for a total of $27.4 billion. </font><br>
<br>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: <br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>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! <br>
<br>Facebook event: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104036879667380" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104036879667380</a><br><br>Harvard No Layoffs Campaign Blog: <a href="http://harvardnolayoffs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://harvardnolayoffs.blogspot.com/</a><br>
<br>Please forward this message as widely as possible!<br>
<br>In Solidarity,<br><br>Geoff Carens, Union Rep, HUCTW/AFSCME local 3650<br><br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
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<br><br></b><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><br></td></tr></tbody><tbody><tr><th>More Info</th><td><div>
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<span>...</span><span> of our union sisters need your help December 1:<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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).</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br>