Dear All,<br><br>In February and March, Johany Pilar, a long-serving
Harvard employee who is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was
sexually harassed at work by a much older, larger, married male
co-worker. Johany has faced relentless attacks and retaliation by
management ever since she reported the unwanted advances and aggressive
grabbing. <br>
<br>When she first complained of the harassment, management engaged in
classic victim-blaming, telling her she gives too many hugs and ordering
her not to hug anyone on the job. Johany was even directed to train her
harasser, which led to more unwanted, aggressive physical contact. In
May a manager insistently demanded she cancel a therapy appointment she
had set up to deal with the harassment. He made this demand despite
knowing very well what the appointment was for. His pressure was so
intense and upsetting Johany had a panic attack at work. In June another
administrator confronted her first thing in the morning and threatened
her with an unspecified "big, big problem." In September this threat was
carried out when Johany received an unfair disciplinary letter warning
her she could soon be fired. In 15 years' service at Harvard, Johany
never received any discipline until she reported being harassed. <br>
<br>Eight student organizations and the Industrial Workers of the World published an <a href="http://www.perspy.com/?p=1050" target="_blank">open letter</a>
to Harvard's Labor Relations Dept., decrying Johany's treatment. Johany
movingly described how the punishment for standing up for her rights
has affected her at a <a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/10/12/mailroom-worker-reports-harassment/" target="_blank">meeting on rape culture</a>
attended by campus feminists. Johany filed complaints of gender
discrimination and retaliation at the Massachusetts Commission Against
Discrimination (MCAD). Scores of workers and students <a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/10/19/students-protest-for-pilar/" target="_blank">picketed</a> in her defense, and two of her co-workers bravely spoke on her behalf at the public action.<br>
<br>The only response to date has been management's announcement that
Johany, and the two colleagues who stood up for her in public, are now
newly considered "essential staff," meaning they are expected to report
to work even when the campus is closed for emergencies like the recent
hurricane. Harvard workers believe this is another effort to hit back at
Johany, isolate her and punish her supporters. One of the workers in
question has diabetic foot disease and walks with braces, and Johany has
a heart condition which management knows about, so being required to
work during weather emergencies could put them both in physical danger. <br>
<br>We must not allow a sickening conspiracy by Harvard administrators
to drive this brave worker from her job! Please join Johany and her
supporters at a rally and march, beginning this Friday, 11/16, at 12
noon in Harvard Square. We will gather at Harvard's Holyoke Center, 1350
Mass. Ave., next to Au Bon Pain and half a block from the main entrance
of the Harvard Square red line MBTA stop. A map is <a href="http://www.bing.com/maps/#JnE9LjEzNTAlMmJtYXNzYWNodXNldHRzJTJiYXZlbnVlJTJiY2FtYnJpZGdlJTJibWElN2Vzc3QuMCU3ZXBnLjEmYmI9NjIuMzk0MDQxNTA1MjI0MiU3ZS0zMC4yMzIwNTU2NjQlN2UxMy4xNjIwOTE5MTQ5OTYyJTdlLTExMS45NzAzMzY5MTQ=" target="_blank">here</a>. For the Facebook event, please click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/426533047400088/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br>
<br>Defeat rape culture! An Injury to one is an injury to all!<br><br>Geoff Carens, Union Rep, Harvard Union of Clerical & Technical Workers/AFSCME Local 3650<br>Member, Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)<br>