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Cambridge speakers urge city council to back Harvard grad students after university carves out workers from union
Summary
Dozens of Harvard graduate students and supporters spoke at the Cambridge City Council on Oct. 20 urging the council to adopt a resolution backing the Harvard Graduate Students Union after the university reclassified many stipended researchers as non‑employees, cutting them off from union benefits and funds.
Dozens of graduate students and union supporters addressed the Cambridge City Council during public comment on Oct. 20 to urge the council to adopt a resolution backing the Harvard Graduate Students Union after Harvard reclassified hundreds of stipended researchers as non‑employees.
Speakers said the university’s July decision—announced without advance notice—stripped graduate student researchers of union eligibility and access to benefit funds that cover childcare, emergency medical costs and other supports. “Harvard stripped hundreds of my colleagues of union protections overnight without notice or consultation,” said Laura Chen, identifying herself as “a steward of the union at the Harvard School of Public Health.”
Why it…
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