In a landmark decision, clinical workers at Harvard Law School have overwhelmingly voted to unionize under Harvard Academic Workers-United Auto Workers (HAW-UAW). With an impressive margin of 62-3, the vote signals a significant shift in the discourse surrounding labor rights and representation within academic institutions.

High Turnout and Engagement

Despite adverse weather conditions, an extraordinary 80 percent of the 110 eligible voters at Roscoe Pound Hall participated in the vote, underscoring the strong commitment and engagement of clinical workers to this historic initiative.

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Certification and Negotiation Ahead

Following the certification of votes by the National Labor Relations Board, HAW-UAW Clinical now proceeds to negotiate with Harvard. This marks a crucial step in their quest for fair labor practices and improved working conditions.

Complexity in the Voting Process

Including challenge votes, particularly from individuals holding alleged supervisory roles, has added complexity to the process. Harvard contests the eligibility of these challenged voters for representation under HAW-UAW, potentially impacting the vote’s outcome. However, negotiations proceed with the current margin of victory, awaiting a decision on the status of challenged voters.

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Organizational Satisfaction and Objectives

Rebecca Greening, an organizer for the HLS clinical unit and a lecturer at the Law School, expressed satisfaction with the robust turnout. She emphasized the widespread support garnered through organizing efforts and highlighted key objectives of the union, including fair compensation, addressing limited career pathways, and rectifying job mis-titling.

Forward Progress and Inclusive Processes

Looking ahead, HAW-UAW Clinical aims to elect representatives to form a bargaining committee and initiate bargaining surveys. This underscores their commitment to inclusive and transparent negotiation processes. Beyond Harvard Law School, the outcome of this vote catalyzes broader conversations on labor rights and representation within academia.

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Momentum for Unionization Movement

As the unionization movement gains momentum, it underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between academic institutions and their workforce to foster environments conducive to growth, fairness, and mutual respect.