[act-ma] Tues 4:45 pm: End Harvard's Retaliation for Reporting Sexual Harassment!

[Geoff Carens]

Dear All,

This 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. After appealing to administrators for help, she was
singled out for harassment and retaliatory discipline, and later fired. The
only new offense in Mayli's termination letter was that she was allegedly
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). However,
just a few days before she was fired, Harvard had threatened her in writing
with termination for sharing her complaints with co-workers and officials,
including HU Pres Drew Faust. Supporters believe Mayli's firing was
unlawful 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 <(617)%20496-9193>.
Suggested message, "I am outraged to hear that a union member named Mayli
was fired by Harvard for reporting sexual harassment and racial
discrimination. Please use your influence to ensure a fair resolution to
this case."

Read more about the fight to get justice for Mayli:

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

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

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