Did the HUCTW-Harvard 2012-2015 Contract expire?
Yes. The 2012-2015 Agreement between the University and the Union expired on September 30, 2015. However, the University and the Union signed a memo extending all the benefits and protections in the 2012-2015 Agreement and Personnel Manual. This extension will be in effect until the University and Union reach a new agreement though our ongoing negotiations.

Do I still have all my benefits, such as healthcare, access to HUCTW Funds, TAP, release time, etc, during the negotiations?
Yes. The 2012-2015 Agreement and Manual are still fully in effect, while a new contract is negotiated.

When will I receive my 2015 salary increase?
Once we come to a new agreement with Harvard. Harvard and HUCTW negotiate salary increases that are delivered in each year of our contract. Our last contract was for three years and the last raise of that agreement was delivered on October 1, 2014. Because we have not yet reached agreement on a new contract with the University, we have not yet received our salary increases for 2015. Once the University and the Union reach a tentative agreement, HUCTW members will be asked to vote yes or no on new on the new contract, which will include salary increases.

Assuming a majority of members vote yes, the contract will be implemented and we will see our new salary increases in our paychecks soon after the vote. Typically Harvard and HUCTW have negotiated contracts for three-year increments, which includes three years’ of scheduled raises. But contract length also needs to be negotiated.

Will the 2015 raises be retroactive to October 1, 2015?
October 1, 2015 is the date when we would have received salary increases if our negotiations had finished on schedule. The date of delivery has to be negotiated with the University. In the past, increases have been retroactive.

How can I learn more about what’s happening in negotiations?
If you would like to read more about the issues being discussed, please visit our News Archive page to see our most recent email communications about negotiations, or check out our Health Care at Harvard page to learn more about one of the core issues: health care benefits.

The best way to get up to get detailed information is to reach out directly to your HUCTW representative or “organizer.” You can find contact information for all HUCTW organizers on our website. If you are not sure who your HUCTW organizer is, please call or email the HUCTW office (617-661-8289, huctw.info@huctw.org) and ask to speak to a representative for your department.

Are my healthcare plan options changing for 2016?
No. Healthcare is a mandatory issue of bargaining. Therefore, Harvard and HUCTW need to negotiate about any changes to HUCTW members’ plan design before anything can be changed. Because the University and the Union have not yet come to an agreement about healthcare, your healthcare options remain the same for 2016 as they were in 2015.

Many of my exempt friends have been talking about non-union healthcare plan design changes. Where can I find information about these changes to better inform myself about what is happening in the community?
The 2016 non-union healthcare plan design changes can be found on HARVIE under the   Health Benefits section. You can also learn more about HUCTW concerns around these changes to the non-union health care plans on our Health Care at Harvard page under “HUCTW Health Care Publications.” Again please note that these 2016 changes do not apply to HUCTW members.

How can I reach out to the Union to express my thoughts, concerns, or ask questions?
Union organizers at the HUCTW office are always available to talk about any of these issues or other questions.   You can find contact information for all HUCTW organizers on our website. If you are not sure who your HUCTW organizer is, please call or email the HUCTW office (617-661-8289, huctw.info@huctw.org) and ask to speak to a representative for your department.