City of Somerville header
File #: 209385    Version: 1
Type: Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 12/10/2019 In control: City Council
On agenda: 12/12/2019 Final action: 12/12/2019
Enactment date: 12/12/2019 Enactment #: 209385
Title: Supporting the Harvard Graduate Students Union and calling on Harvard University to bargain a fair contract in good faith.
Sponsors: Wilfred N. Mbah, Jesse Clingan, Lance L. Davis, Stephanie Hirsch, Jefferson Thomas ("J.T.") Scott, William A. White Jr., Mark Niedergang, Katjana Ballantyne, Mary Jo Rossetti, Matthew McLaughlin

  Agenda Text

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Supporting the Harvard Graduate Students Union and calling on Harvard University to bargain a fair contract in good faith.

 

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Official Text

WHEREAS:                     Harvard University relies upon the work of graduate students to educate students, to conduct world-renowned research, to support its faculty, and to bring in funding for the University; and

 

WHEREAS:                      In April of 2018, the graduate students at Harvard, many of whom are Somerville residents, voted in a fair and open election to form a union, the Harvard Graduate Student Union (HGSU-UAW); and

 

WHEREAS:                     In a prior election, held in 2016, the National Labor Relations Board found that Harvard had inappropriately tampered with the election by incorrectly deeming ineligible dozens of graduate students, a finding that was upheld upon appeal by Harvard, and which mandated the second election in 2018, which was successful; and

 

WHEREAS:                      In the 18 months since HGSU-UAW formed, Harvard University has failed to bargain in good faith a contract that would address the demands of graduate workers at the University; and

 

WHEREAS:                      Workers cannot perform their job well without fair, predictable compensation, sufficient health and dental insurance, and a safe, fair procedure for pursuing grievance claims involving harassment and discrimination; and

 

WHEREAS:                      On December 3, 2019, the Harvard Graduate Student Union voted overwhelmingly to exercise their federally protected rights to concerted workplace activity; and

 

WHEREAS:                      The City of Somerville believes that our educational institutions must live up to their own values and treat their workers fairly; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

 

RESOLVED:                      That the City of Somerville calls upon the Harvard University administration to respect the choice of its graduate student workers by bargaining a fair contract with HGSU-UAW that upholds the values of economic and social justice.