Harvard Academic Workers Union (HAW-UAW)
The Harvard Academic Workers-United Auto Workers (HAW-UAW) Union is made up of non-tenure-track academic and staff workers performing research and teaching at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Divinity School.
The University recognizes the important role our academic workers play in fulfilling our mission and supporting the academic experience of our students. We are committed to respectful and constructive bargaining with all of our union partners. Below you will find periodic updates on ongoing contract negotiations between HAW-UAW and the University.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below provide background on the negotiations, information on processes, and guidance for preparing for a possible work disruption.
Who are the members of the Harvard Academic Workers – United Auto Workers (HAW-UAW)?
The Harvard Academic Workers-United Auto Workers (HAW-UAW) Union is made up of non-tenure-track employees performing research and teaching at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Medical School, and the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
What is the University’s approach to negotiations?
Across Harvard, academic workers make essential contributions to research, teaching, and mentoring. We believe that through ongoing good faith efforts of HAW-UAW and the University, we can reach a reasonable, mutually agreeable resolution that respects the role of our academic workers and enables our students to thrive.
What is the status of negotiations with HAW-UAW and the timeline for meetings?
Negotiations began in September 2024 and as of April 1, 2026, the teams have held 33 collective bargaining sessions. More sessions are scheduled throughout the spring. The parties have tentatively agreed upon 13 articles for inclusion into the eventual collective bargaining agreement and are very close to agreement on several others. The majority of sessions thus far have focused mainly on non-economic issues. For compensation, the University put forward its proposal in October 2025. HAW-UAW responded to the proposal on March 31, 2026.
Despite tentative agreements and progress on other articles, the HAW-UAW opened a strike authorization vote (SAV) to its members on March 27, 2026. This vote does not initiate a strike. If the union secures authorization by assent of 2/3 of voters, that authorization permits the Union’s bargaining team to call a strike at any time. The University remains committed both to bargaining in good faith and, in the event of a strike, to fulfilling its responsibility to maintain the continuity of teaching, learning, and research.
Is it unusual for negotiations to take this long?
Negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement is complicated since, among other things, there is no pre-existing set of provisions or language from which to work. Most negotiations of first contracts usually take one to two years to complete. This bargaining unit, moreover, includes a wide range of teaching, research, and staff positions.
Why is the University engaged in contingency planning for a strike?
As noted, the University is committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a reasonable and mutually agreeable contract. The University also has a responsibility to maintain the continuity of teaching, learning, and research in the event of a strike. To that end, the Office of Undergraduate Education will share specific contingency planning guidance in the coming days. If faculty or department administrators have questions, please contact OUE. At Harvard Divinity School, administrators or faculty supervisors may reach out to the Office of Academic Affairs, academicaffairs@hds.harvard.edu. At Harvard Medical School, administrators, faculty supervisors, or principal investigators may reach out to AcademicRelations@hms.harvard.edu. At John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, faculty and research supervisors may reach out to the Office for Faculty Affairs.
Will a strike impact class sessions for university students?
If a strike occurs, departments or units should take necessary steps to maintain the continuity of teaching, learning, and research. Schools will provide updates during any disruption on campus.
How will the Harvard community be notified if classes are not meeting?
The University expects that classes will continue to meet. Sometimes, the University will not have advance notice that a class cannot be held as scheduled. Once the need to modify the schedule or otherwise modify the session is known, individual schools, departments, and units should provide guidance to students as soon as possible.
Can I ask unit members about their strike plans?
Under existing labor standards, administrators, department/unit heads, and faculty should not question HAW members about their strike activities. For example, do not ask whether they are going to strike, who else is going to strike, how many academic workers are supporting the strike, what the level of support for the strike is, or how long it will last.
Once a strike has begun, administrators, department/unit heads, faculty supervisors, or principal investigators may ask academic workers whether they plan to continue working. These communications must comply with the National Labor Relations Act and NLRB guidelines. An administrator, department/unit head, faculty supervisor, or principal investigator asking an academic worker about their work plans must do the following:
- Specifically tell the academic worker that they are free not to answer the question posed and that their response is strictly voluntary.
- Tell the academic worker the purpose of the question. For example, “In order to plan for the course to which you are assigned, and to make sure the class is covered, I would like to know if you will be carrying out that assignment.”
- Specifically assure the academic worker that no reprisals will be taken against them if they refuse to answer the question or if they participate in the strike.
Administrators, department/unit heads, faculty supervisors, or principal investigators should be careful otherwise not to question the academic worker about the strike itself or to expand the conversation beyond the particular question posed. Administrators, department/unit heads, faculty supervisors, or principal investigators may also check themselves or ask academic workers about whether sections/planned reviews are being held or whether lab assignments have been addressed.
Can I encourage or discourage unit members from going on strike?
You may not coerce or otherwise advise academic workers on whether to participate in a strike.
Can a union member choose to work instead of strike?
Yes. The decision to participate in a strike or not is up to each individual unionized academic student worker.
If a union member withholds work during the strike, what options do I have for covering the work?
The University has a responsibility to students to maintain the continuity of teaching, learning, and research. Administrators, department/unit heads, faculty supervisors, or principal investigators should determine how to provide continuity for their individual courses or units. That may include inviting guest lecturers or other faculty to cover classes.
Is it permissible for other faculty to perform functions assigned to striking instructional members?
Yes. The University has an obligation to ensure that the teaching mission is fulfilled. There are no restrictions on performing the work that is needed to cover course material.
Will striking workers be paid?
Striking workers are not entitled to pay for time not worked. Additionally, workers who are typically paid from sponsored funds must not be paid from sponsored funds for time that they are not working. Workers will be asked by the University whether they withheld work during a strike. If the work withheld relates to any grant funding, the University will adjust any related charges to the grants accordingly.
How should faculty address work paid for by sponsored funds?
Harvard University is required to comply with certain federal regulations for certifying effort expended on sponsored awards. Many factors, including the length of any strike and the amount of work missed, will determine what adjustments, if any, the University must make to meet its obligations relating to sponsored research.
What should I do about assessments and grades?
Administrators, department/unit heads, and faculty supervisors should consider the following questions related to assessments and grades: Have students submitted enough work to be assessed on work completed to date? How can the final exam be administered? Prior to an announced strike date, administrators, department/unit heads, and faculty supervisors, should confirm that they have information needed to assign final grades, including up-to-date grading sheets, section and participation attendance records, and other assessments. administrators, department/unit heads, and faculty supervisors who have difficulty obtaining relevant information from an academic worker before the strike should contact their Academic Dean for further guidance.
Should I prioritize grading for students who are soon to graduate?
In the event of a strike, administrators, department/unit heads, or faculty supervisors may want to grade students scheduled to graduate this semester first, before working on grades for other students. Please work with your registrar to identify them. In the event of a lengthy strike, assessments for other students may be placed in queue for when instructional staff return or alternative arrangements can be made.
How should I consider differing views and actions related to a strike?
The University respects the right of all community members to express their opinion. Absence from class or failure to meet course requirements, however, is not excused for participation in a labor action. The University-Wide Statement on Rights and Responsibilities provides helpful guidance.
Bargaining Proposals
Please see below for proposals for the HAW-UAW unit comprised of academic and staff workers performing research and teaching at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Divinity School.
Please check back frequently for the most recent bargaining proposals.
This section was last updated on June 24, 2026 with new proposals and/or tentative agreements in one or more topic areas.