<div dir="ltr"><span><span>Dear All,<br></span></span><div><div><span><span><br>Nassim Kerkache of Harvard University Mail Services (HUMS), became a union rep
this year, took part in rallies and defended colleagues.
Last week, an administrator who told Nassim that his English
supposedly isn't good enough to be a Coordinator (the position he's held
for 9 years!) hit him with a stark choice. Nassim, who supports five
kids, was told he had to accept a demotion of three salary grades, or
else be laid off. Co-workers believe Nassim is being singled out in part
due to his union activism. <br> <br> Mamadou Ndiaye, who also works for HUMS, has been employed as a<span>
"less-than-halftime" employee, for five years. He is allowed to work just 17 hours per week, earns only $11.50 an
hour and lacks union benefits. According to the HUCTW/AFSCME Local 3650
contract, the use of less-than-halftime workers at Harvard is supposed to be
"exceptional and strictly limited." Mamadou, who has two children,
should have been a union member long ago. <br> <br> Paul Casey had his
position, as a Maintenance Tech in Harvard's Science Center, made "essential" in October. He had to
take time off for surgery, but made every effort to return to work as
soon as he possibly could. He came back from his disability leave in
April only to get a layoff notice in May. Management is dubiously
claiming there isn't enough work for his newly "essential" position.
Paul's job duties were distributed to other workers; his colleagues
think he was laid off because he had to take a disability leave. <br><br></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span>Please help Harvard workers and our allies as we manifest our support for Nassim, Mamadou and Paul, this Friday July 19, starting at 4:45 pm in front of Holyoke Center, 1350 Mass. Ave in Cambridge, steps from the Harvard Red Line MBTA stop. And </span></span></span>please feel free to email Harvard's Director of Labor Relations
William Murphy at <a href="mailto:bill_murphy@harvard.edu" target="_blank">bill_murphy@harvard.edu</a>. Suggested text:<br>
<br>"I am troubled to learn of the actions Harvard has reportedly
taken against Nassim Kerkache, Mamadou Ndiaye and Paul Casey. I wish the
University would be more humane in its treatment of employees. It does
affect Harvard's reputation and standing in the local community and beyond. Please
take prompt action to remedy these disturbing situations." <br>
<br>For more information, please contact the <a href="http://harvardnolayoffs.blogspot.com/">Harvard No Layoffs Campaign</a> at <a href="mailto:hrvrdnolayoffs@gmail.com" target="_blank">hrvrdnolayoffs@gmail.com</a> or <a href="tel:617%20684-5329" value="+16176845329" target="_blank">617 684-5329</a>.<br>
<br></div><div>In Solidarity,<br><br></div><div>Geoff <br></div>
</div></div>