[act-ma] Tues 3/27, 4:45 pm, Picket for Mayli, fired by Harvard for reporting sexual harassment & racism!

[Geoff Carens]

Dear All,

Next Tuesday, 3/27, starting at 4:45 pm, supporters of HUCTW* member Mayli
will picket <https://www.facebook.com/events/1663807007019858/> her
workplace at Harvard University. Mayli was fired in February for reporting
sexual harassment and racial discrimination at work. Please join us in
front of the Smith Campus Center, 1350 Mass Ave in Cambridge, steps from
the Harvard Square T stop.

*Background*: Mayli, who worked at Harvard for 10+ years, had good
performance evaluations until she reported inappropriate conduct and racist
remarks from her boss. She was swiftly targeted for micro-management and
retaliatory discipline, and was soon fired, supposedly for being seen at
her desk half an hour *early*. Mayli's supervisor had previously written,
"Mayli is always in work before her regular hours. She is extremely
reliable," on at least two performance evaluations. A few days before she
was fired, Harvard put a letter in Mayli's file, threatening her with
termination for sharing her complaints with co-workers. It is clear the
firing was punishment for speaking out.

Harvard has challenged Mayli's unemployment benefits and she is now without
income. A first gen immigrant single mom of two, she could lose her home,
and her child may have to drop out of college. You can donate to help Mayli
here <https://www.gofundme.com/DefendMayli>.

Please feel free to send protests to Harvard's Director of Labor Relations
Paul Curran at paul_curran at harvard.edu, 617 496-9193. Suggested message, "I
am outraged to hear that a union member named Mayli was fired by Harvard
after reporting sexual harassment and racial discrimination. Please use
your influence to ensure justice in this case."

Read more about the fight to win Mayli's job back:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/2/16/mayli-shing-protest/

https://www.harvardindependent.com/2018/02/unions-students-stand-mayli-shing/

Please feel free to forward this message as widely as possible!

In Solidarity,

Geoff Carens, Union Rep, HUCTW / AFSCME Local 3650
Harvard No Layoffs Campaign
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/224445424319070/>

*Harvard Union of Clerical & Technical Workers