Harvard and HUCTW have released the following joint statement about our 2018 contract negotiations. In the coming weeks and months, HUCTW leaders will invite union members to lunchtime meetings in their local schools or departments for a fuller update on the talks. In the meantime, please let us know if you have any thoughts, questions, or concerns.

JOINT STATEMENT

Harvard University and Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW)

HUCTW and the University have begun negotiations on a new Agreement, with a goal of concluding contract talks before the current Agreement expires on September 30, 2018. 

The University has assembled a negotiating team that includes labor relations professionals from the Office of Labor and Employee Relations as well as HR and finance administrators and operational managers from a number of different Harvard schools and departments.  HUCTW is represented in negotiations by elected representatives from different sections of the University along with the Union’s elected officers and members of its organizing staff. Union and management negotiation participants took part together in a half-day joint learning exercise in March, focused on strategies and skills of effective negotiation.

Negotiating teams are currently meeting once per week for two to four hours, with plans to increase the meeting frequency to twice per week in the coming months. Early meetings have been focused on initial presentations of the parties’ concerns and interests on relevant issues. 

“Although contract negotiations always present complex challenges to navigate, we are very optimistic,” said HUCTW President Carrie Barbash.  “There are important issues on the table, and committed people from the University and the Union are ready to work through them together.”

“We look forward to engaging with the HUCTW bargaining team in the negotiation process.  Our team is pleased to be a part of the longstanding positive relationship between HUCTW and Harvard University. Our initial meetings have been very productive and have laid a solid foundation for successful negotiations.  I am very hopeful that we can reach a successor agreement that adequately addresses the interests of both parties and will allow us to continue on with the important mission of the University,” said Paul Curran, Director of Labor Relations.

Please feel free to contact HUCTW (617-661-8289 or huctw.info@huctw.org) or the Office of Labor and Employee Relations (617-495-5436) with any questions.