Somerville Council opposes Harvard moves to remove graduate students from union

The Somerville City Council on July 10 approved a resolution opposing Harvard University’s recent attempts to remove graduate research workers from the Harvard Graduate Student Union and urged the university to engage with the union’s demands.

Councilor Lance Burnley introduced the amended resolution — which the clerk read into the record — saying the action is part of a larger attack on labor rights. The council voted to replace the original language with the revised version and then passed the revised resolution after public testimony from union members and Somerville residents.

Dorothy Manovich, who identified herself as a Somerville resident and member of the Harvard Graduate Student Union, described the personal benefits she has received from union contract protections, including health and dental coverage and protections from harassment. Manovich said the university’s action would strip “wage protections,” harassment protections and emergency funds from roughly 973 workers and that the move “constitutes an attack on those workers specifically and on our union in general.”

Councilors from across the chamber spoke in support of the resolution. Councilor Burnley framed the vote as defending the definition and dignity of “workers” and said removing certifications years after a union’s formation would undermine unions more broadly. Councilor Scott urged Harvard to de-escalate the conflict and called union members “people that make your institution flourish.” Councilors Wilson, McLaughlin, Strezo and others signed onto the measure.

The resolution asks Harvard administrators to “undo these actions,” to engage seriously with the Harvard Graduate Students Union on pay, protections from harassment and resources for non-citizens, and requests that a copy of the resolution be sent to Harvard’s administration.