2006-2007 Contract Negotiations

HUCTW and Harvard are negotiating a new Agreement in the fall of 2006 and continuing into early 2007. The resulting Agreement will take effect on July 1, 2007.

A contract negotiation is a great opportunity for our Union to press forward an agenda of positive change for the Harvard workplace. Many of the most important programs and policies currently in effect have grown out of previous rounds of negotiation, from 1989 to 2004. (Follow this link for a partial summary of past accomplishments.)

The goals of our Union in these negotiations, as discussed among thousands of HUCTW members in meetings, surveys, and conversations, continue with many of our longstanding interests, as well as exploring new areas:

To support every member of the Harvard community in learning and professional development, on individualized paths and throughout our careers;
To raise our economic standing, maintaining a strong salary increase program that recognizes skill development and longer service, and gives us an opportunity for a dignified, middle-class living standard;
To develop innovative benefit programs, finding new ways to address the basic needs of health care, housing, child care, and retirement;
To make our work environment kinder, more respectful, and more democratic through training of managers and teams, and innovations in organizational design;
To assure every union member of an ongoing place in our working community, through a Work Security program which places laid-off staff into new jobs without a loss of income.
And, to carry out our important discussions with the University in a way that builds trust and respect among members of our community as much as possible.

These negotiations are taking place at a Central Coordinating Table and at eight Side Tables. Each of the Side Tables is focused on an important policy area of mutual interest to HUCTW and Harvard. Click here for a list of Central Table negotiators. Click here for a list of Side Table subjects and participants.

HUCTW has prepared for these negotiations with a series of conversations among Union members on many themes over several months. The main driving question in that conversation is: How should we continue to improve our Harvard workplace?

In October, we held 75 departmental union meetings, and more than 500 members participated. Click here for a summary of themes and ideas from those meetings. HUCTW also sponsored an on-line negotiation survey, and more than 1800 Union members have submitted responses. A report on the results of the survey is available. Information gathered (with strict confidentiality in place) is being used at each table in the contract negotiations.

The Central Table and Side Tables are meeting intensively in January and February 2007, toward a goal of reaching an agreement in March or April. HUCTW is sponsoring many departmental meetings and events in those months to communicate with members about negotiating process.

If you have questions
about contract negotiations, or anything else,
please call the Union office at 617-661-8289.

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