HGSU Strike Authorization Vote
A message from Harvard's Office of Labor and Employee Relations to HGSU-UAW leadership.
Dear HGSU-UAW,
I am aware that HGSU has opened up voting regarding authorization for another strike. As I am sure you know, federal labor law does not protect intermittent strikes - that is, strikes that start, end with members returning to work, and then restart in support of the same goals.
When HGSU unconditionally ended the strike last spring, it stated publicly that its “fight” for a new contract was not over and that it was prepared to strike again. The recent announcements about a second-strike authorization vote cite the same issues that HGSU says were unresolved when it ended its strike a few months ago. You confirmed at the bargaining table that a second strike would be in support of the same issues from the first strike.
The University believes a second strike in these circumstances would not be protected under the law. I encourage HGSU to fully inform voters that if a second strike occurs and it is intermittent, participating members would not have the legal protections they had while striking this past Spring.
Sincerely,
Paul Curran
Managing Director, Labor and Employee Relations