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SEIU workers win no-layoff guarantee at Boston College

bc bargaining team

After nine rocky months of negotiations, Local 615 members at Boston College voted six to one on February 17 to approve a new six-year contract that will give most of the 270 facility workers a no-layoff guarantee that is rare in any industry. While the agreement allows BC to contract out work to reduce overtime, the union will have opportunity to review and discuss beforehand the University’s proposals to contract out. The contract prohibits BC from replacing in-house jobs with outside contractors. The union also won raises totaling 4 percent by June 2010, with future raises to be negotiated. Students, alumni, legislators, and faculty all helped the union win a fair contract.

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Read the latest news on the continuing financial crisis in Higher Education!

January 11, 2010
Members at Boston College fight to keep their work in-house. The Boston Globe follows their struggle.

December 1, 2009
As Yale maps out its recovery, it has taken responsible measures to keep its work in-house and dramatically reduce the numbers of outside consultants. Will Harvard, Brown, and the other higher ed institutions in 615's turf follow suit?

November 18, 2009
Since it laid off hundreds of workers, Harvard has lost more than our respect. Click here to read how some schools are handling their budget crisis better than others.

November 5, 2009
The Boston Globe has some good suggestions on weathering the economic storm in higher education: This editorial argues that for university presidents, a pay cut is in order!

October 23, 2009
The Harvard Crimson reports that Harvard University may assume more debt.

3,000 Rally for Health Care Reform on Boston Common

Monday, 9/7/09 - More than 1,000 people rallied on Boston Common, shouting slogans and holding aloft banners demanding "reform now" in a show of force supporting President Obama's push to overhaul health care.  In a refrain that echoed across the grassy lawn, the crowd chanted: "What do we want? Health Care Reform! When do you want it? Now!"  Members of the crowd said they wanted to push back against vocal opposition to reform as Obama gears up for a major health care address to Congress on Wednesday. 
VIDEO: SEIU Local 615 Rallies at Boston Common for Healthcare Reform

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Higher Education

MIT’s New Shop Steward at the Campus Activities Center
Bill Sims, has a been a custodian and utility worker at MIT for five years. On his decision to become a leader, he says: “I stepped up to be the shop steward to ensure the fair treatment and safety of my fellow workers.” Bill and his wife, Janine, have a five-year-old daughter named Abby. 
 


Arthur Vasconselos_small
New Stewards at BU
Arthur Vasconselos, a 25-year BU custodian, explains why he accepted the steward position: “Custodians are the heart of the University. We do 80% of the work to maintain BU.”

The Charles River campus has nine new stewards: maintenance worker Tony Cruz, and custodians Maria Barao, Charles Wilson, George Martins, Gloria Resendes, George San Martin, Joe Perry, Michael Petratos, and Arthur Vasconselos. 

The Medical Campus has four new stewards: custodians Harry Serounian and Bill Wilder, and general mechanics Mark McGahan and Kevin Dewey.


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