FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Published: Monday, February 13, 2012
Sarah Betancourt | P. 617-878-7492
Victory at Harvard University Exposes Flawed Immigration Policies
After six months of unjust and difficult unemployment, two Harvard University janitors can look forward to returning to work. Blanca Vaquerano and Ever Martinez were suspended last fall due to a policy concerning immigration paperwork. While both are legally in the United States, it took several months to remedy the matter.
A Unicco representative has stated that this will be done “soon, and in a timely manner.” Unicco has committed to bringing the two workers back to Harvard to work and anyone else in a similar situation.
Newly re-instated Blanca Vaquerano reacted to the decision. “I am joyful! There are so many bills to pay, and now I can help my family. Thank you to the union and everyone who helped. I am eager to start working again.”
___________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2011 Contact: Renee Asher, 202-355-8318
Janitors in More Than 12 Cities Across the Country Pledge Support to NYC Cleaners
NEW YORK, NY— As a contract deadline looms in New York City for 22,000 office cleaners represented by SEIU 32BJ, janitors in more than 12 cities across the country including Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Los Angeles have pledged to honor picket lines should the strike spread outside of New York City.
Cleaners in New York City represented by SEIU32BJ could strike as soon as January 1st if a deal is not reached with New York City’s $20 billion real estate industry.
The showdown comes in the midst of wide-scale public protests over income inequality between the very wealthy and the rest of the country and a debate about what kind of country we will become if income disparity continues to widen. While corporate executives are making record amounts, income for 95 percent of American households has either stayed the same or fallen since 1970, threatening to make the middle class the great disappearing act of the 21st century.
Janitors in Northern Virginia, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago, Orange County, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, Boston, Seattle, Minneapolis and Sacramento have all signed petitions stating their intention to honor picket lines should the strike spread to their buildings.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
Thursday, December 15, 2011 Contact: Meghan Finegan: 617-284-1116
SEIU’s Henry: Today, Homecare Workers Truly Are Invisible No More.
President Obama and Secretary of Labor Solis today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor will move forward to amend regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to include the nearly 2 million homecare workers who are currently excluded from federal overtime and minimum wage protections. Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) issued this statement in response:
“Evelyn Coke, a single mother from Queens who worked long hours she was never paid for, took her case all the way to the Supreme Court but was denied justice. Sadly, Ms. Coke did not live to see her quest for equal labor protections for homecare workers answered by President Obama and Secretary Solis, but she is with us in spirit today. Today marks an enormous step forward to correct an injustice against hard-working Americans that has also hampered our ability to address the growing long-term care crisis in our country.
“Invisible no more. For more than two decades, homecare workers across the country have said this to one another to find hope in the face of poverty wages and poor working conditions. They have chanted this phrase as they voted to join with our union to create a better life for themselves and their families. For the working women and men who care for our aging parents, our sisters, brothers and neighbors ‘invisible no more’ is not a simple slogan, it is an undeniable call to action.
“Now more than ever, every job in our country must be a good job that can sustain a family, strengthen our communities and move our country forward. Very soon, every caregiver in America will be equal in the eyes of the law and equally protected. This day will be a day that makes Evelyn Coke — and every American — very proud.”
___________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 5, 2011 Contact: Jason A Stephany, (617) 286-4430, jason@massuniting.org
Bay State’s 99% Head to DC to Take Back the Capitol
BOSTON, MA – Busloads of unemployed workers, community activists and occupiers are headed from Boston to Washington, DC today for a week of direct action and peaceful protests. Under the MASSUNITING banner, the local delegation will join with thousands of protesters from around the country to Take Back the Capitol and send a message that Congress needs to represent the 99 percent that elected them, not just the wealthiest 1 percent.
In recent months, the national focus has shifted increasingly toward the growing disparity between the wealthiest 1 percent and the remaining 99 percent – and the overwhelmingly negative impact that gap has had on our communities. Thousands of Americans will converge on Washington, D.C., starting on Monday, December 5 to participate in four days of peaceful protests to make the voices of the 99 percent heard and counter the influence of major corporations and their K Street lobbyists.
“Too many Washington politicians are listening to corporate lobbyists and their campaign contributions. They’re catering to the top 1 percent while ignoring the issues that impact the rest of us,” said Carmen Stevens, an unemployed mother and MASSUNITING activist from Dorchester. “Today, the 99 percent are heading for the halls of power to remind our Members of Congress who they represent.”
The situation for the 99 percent is dire. Nearly 14 million workers in the United States are without jobs, yet Congress has yet to take meaningful action to create jobs. Median incomes for most workers have fallen 6.7 percent in the two years since the 2009 recession, resulting in the worst income inequality since the 1920s. And while the middle class and working people are suffering from cuts to vital services and general inaction on jobs, taxes for the top 1 percent are at an all-time low.
“With so many people out of work, we need action on jobs and unemployment, and we need it now,” said Jay Chambers, an unemployed ironworker who has been with the #OccupyBoston camp since day one. “We can’t just sit idly by while the DC politicians play political games with our jobs and our livelihoods. That’s why we’re taking the fight to Washington – to make sure our representatives know just how serious we are about these issues.”
___________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION: November 14,2011
Contact: Sarah Betancourt – Office 617-878-7492
Harvard University and Janitors Reach Tentative Agreement
In a victory for Harvard janitors and the 99 percent, Harvard University contracted and direct janitors have reached a tentative agreement with the University that includes gains on three key issues—full time work, equality for all workers at Harvard, and affordable health insurance. Workers will vote to ratify the agreement on Friday.
Harvard University janitors have fought for one Harvard, with Fairness and Dignity for all. With Harvard’s reputation as a preeminent institution for higher education, this agreement will be seen as an example for other universities to treat workers with the dignity and respect they deserve. Details will be forthcoming, including a summary of the agreement and time and place for the vote.
________________________________________________________
PARA DIFUSION INMEDIATA: 14 de Noviembre, 2011
Harvard University y Trabajadores de Limpieza Llegan a Acuerdo Tentativo
En una victoria para los trabajadores de limpieza de Harvard y el 99 por ciento, los trabajadores de limpieza directos y subcontratados de Harvard University han llegado a un acuerdo tentativo con la Universidad que incluye mejoras en tres áreas claves—el trabajo de tiempo completo, la igualdad para todos los trabajadores de Harvard, y el seguro médico asequible. Los trabajadores votarán para ratificar el acuerdo este viernes.
Los trabajadores de limpieza de Harvard University han luchado por un solo Harvard, con Justicia y Dignidad para todos. Con la reputación de Harvard como una institución preeminente de la educación superior, este acuerdo se verá como ejemplo para otras universidades, para tratar a los trabajadores con la dignidad y el respeto que se merecen. Se proveerán más detalles dentro de poco, incluyendo un resumen del acuerdo y la hora y el lugar para la votación.
________________________________________________________
SEIU Local 615 Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Harvard University with Contract Expiration Approaching
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 10, 2011
Sarah Betancourt – Office 617-878-7492
Boston, MA – An Unfair Labor Practice Charge has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board against Harvard University by SEIU Local 615 for interference with workers’ right to talk freely about their wages and working condition. Janitors at Harvard believe this to be not only in violation of rights guaranteed by the National Labor Relations Act, but also an infringement on their First Amendment rights. On 11/8/2001 Harvard issued a memorandum instructing management personnel not to talk to media and to, “[S]imply tell them you are not at liberty to answer questions… .” Harvard further instructed its management to “Print this [memo] out and deliver it to your employees who do not have email.”
Twenty year janitor and bargaining member Jean-Claude Mondesir said, “This is freedom of speech. I don’t know why they tell us not to talk to press. People are working two jobs. These things need to be talked about. I will continue to be a voice.”
The gag order comes at a time where freedom of speech could not be more important. Early this evening, hundreds of students, alumni, faculty and staff, convened in a general assembly outside of Harvard Law School, to discuss their concerns over the corporatization of higher education, excessive executive compensation, socioeconomic inequality, and job outsourcing by the University. Local 615 workers wish to add their voice, and their struggles for good wages and working conditions, to the discourse. Students later set up tents in Harvard yard in an “Occupy” fashion.
Professor Timothy P. McCarthy, a Lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, spoke of the grievances of the 99% at the assembly, “Harvard employs some of the very same people who were responsible for the global economic meltdown and the political institutions that facilitate it, that have created the suffering that engulfs not only this nation but the globe.”
Rocio Saenz, President of Local 615 voiced the support of workers for the student occupation, “The fight against economic injustice, overpaid management, and mistreatment of workers affects everyone one of us. We are the 99 percent and we will not be silenced and we will not be deterred– there is just too much at stake.”
________________________________________________________
SEIU Local 615 Presenta Cargos de Practicas Ilícitas contra la Universidad de Harvard mientras se acerca el vencimiento del Contrato
PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
Miércoles, Noviembre 10, 2011
Sarah Betancourt – Oficina 617-878-7492 | Celular: 802-999-2400
Boston, MA – SEIU Local 615 presentó a la Junta Nacional de Relaciones del Trabajo un cargo de prácticas ilícitas contra la Universidad de Harvard por interferir con los derechos de los trabajadores de la libre expresión acerca de sus salarios y condiciones de trabajo. Los trabajadores de limpieza de Harvard creen que se han violado los derechos garantizados por La Ley Nacional de Relaciones Obrero-Patronales, y también sus derechos bajo la Primera Enmienda de la Constitución. El 11/8/2011 Harvard publicó un memorándum ordenando a sus administradores a que no hablaran con los medios de comunicación, y que, “[S]implemente les diga que no tiene la libertad de contestar las preguntas … .” Además, Harvard indicó que sus supervisores deben “Imprimir este [memo] y entregarlo a sus empleados que no tengan correo electrónico.”
Jean-Claude Mondesir, trabajador de limpieza por 20 años y miembro del comité negociador, dijo, “No sé por qué nos dicen que no hablemos con la prensa. La gente está trabajando dos trabajos. Debemos hablar de estas cosas. Seguiré alzando la voz.”
Esta orden de silencio viene en un momento cuando la libre expresión es de mayor importancia. Esta tarde, cientos de estudiantes, ex-alumnos, facultad y personal, se unieron en una asamblea general frente a la Escuela de Leyes de Harvard, para hablar de sus preocupaciones sobre la corporatización de la educación superior, la compensación ejecutiva excesiva, la desigualdad socio económica, y la subcontratación de trabajos por la universidad. Los trabajadores de Local 615 desean que su voz y su lucha para salarios y condiciones de trabajo decentes sean parte del debate. Luego los estudiantes pusieron carpas en la Yarda de Harvard a la manera de las “Ocupaciones”.
El profesor Timothy P. McCarthy, de la Escuela de Gobierno Kennedy de Harvard, habló en la asamblea de las quejas del 99%: “Harvard emplea algunas de las mismas personas que fueron responsables por el colapso económico global y las instituciones políticas que lo facilitaron, que ha creado un sufrimiento que prolifera en este país y en el mundo”.
Rocío Sáenz, Presidenta del Local 615 comunicó el apoyo de los trabajadores para la ocupación estudiantil, “La lucha contra la injusticia económica, los administradores sobre pagados, y el maltrato de los trabajadores afecta a cada uno de nosotros. Somos el 99%; no nos podrán silenciar y no nos detendrán—hay demasiado en riesgo.”
________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release: November 3, 2011
Contact: Tyler Prell, 202-730-7278
Senate Infrastructure Jobs Vote: Millionaires Win Again
WASHINGTON, DC – Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate failed to break a filibuster which prevented the “Rebuild America Jobs Act” from coming up for an up or down vote:
“As our nation’s infrastructure falls apart before our eyes, some Senators shamefully chose to side with millionaires rather than putting Americans to work rebuilding our bridges, roads and railways. These Senators have shown once again that the interests of the top 1 percent are more important than those of their own unemployed constituents.
“Those Senators who blocked this bill should be held accountable for their shocking indifference to the jobs emergency in our country.”
_______________________________________________________
House Committee Continues Attacks on Workers’ Rights
For Immediate Release: October 26, 2011
Contact: Tyler Prell, 202-730-7278
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement after the House Education and Workforce Committee reported out the so-called “Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act”:
“Pure and simple, Representative Kline’s bill does absolutely nothing to create jobs for the 14 million Americans looking for work. Instead, it attacks workers who seek to exercise their legally protected right to join together on the job.
“This is yet another attack on workers’ rights by corporate interests and their bought and paid for politicians in Washington. These attacks are about silencing workers’ voices, not creating jobs or strengthening our economy.
With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers—not just corporations and CEOs—benefit from today’s global economy.
www.seiu.org
Linda Weitzman
Operations Manager, Government Relations
(202)730-7261
Service Employees International Union
1800 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 2003
________________________________________________________
Hearing Regarding Responsible Contracting at Logan International Airport
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Published: Wednesday October 12, 2011
Sarah Betancourt | sbetancourt@seiu615.org
Boston, MA – Contracted workers from Logan International Airport testified in a hearing in front of the Committee of Labor, Youth Affairs, and Human Rights, chaired by Councilor Felix Arroyo. Their stories gave face to grievances of many workers, including security officers, airplane cleaners, baggage handlers, and wheelchair assistants, who make as little as $8-$9 dollars per hour, and some less than minimum wage. According to the Massachusetts Economic Independent Index of 2010, a single adult with no dependents must make $13.60 an hour to live self-sufficiently.
The Order of Hearing states, “This underpayment and breach of the worker’s right to a livable wage costs taxpayers millions of dollars by burdening the state’s public assistance programs… Underpaying airport workers can also jeopardize the safety of workers and travelers, and can impact the quality of service to customers.”
Councilor Felix G. Arroyo, lead sponsor and Chair of the City Council Labor, Youth Affairs, and Human Rights Committee stated, “We need to make sure that all who work at Logan Airport are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. Whether they are security officers, airplane cleaners, baggage handlers, or wheelchair assistants, Logan Airport works because they work. They deserve to earn enough to provide for themselves and their families.”
The Council President mentioned the national successes of maintaining livable wages for workers in other airports across the country. “If we were in Miami, workers would be paid 15 an hour,””said City Councilor Stephen Murphy.
SEIU 615 President Rocio Saenz stated, “We are concerned that most of these workers earn at or near minimum wage, in some cases below minimum wage, far below what the City of Boston considers to be a living wage. Many people have given disturbing reports of unsafe conditions, which we are working to document Also, although the airline contractors sign agreements to offer opportunities to residents of impacted communities, including East Boston, South Boston and Charlestown, we see no evidence that this is happening. We are hopeful that MassPORT, the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can work together with us to resolve this urgent problem.
________________________________________________________
SEIU LOCAL 615 Statement to Americans Occupying
Boston and Wall Street
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Published: Friday, October 7, 2011
Sarah Betancourt – sbetancourt@seiu615.org
The SEIU Local 615 showed the support of members yesterday in adopting a resolution to stand behind Occupy Boston.
Local 615 President Rocio Saenz, “The brave students, workers, and unemployed Americans occupying Wall Street have shaken the conscience of our nation. The crowds and demonstrations will only grow larger and louder as more Americans find the courage inside themselves to stand up and demand Wall Street CEOs and millionaires pay their fair share to create good jobs now. SEIU Local 615 has a message for those at Occupy Boston- You have our support, we will join you in the streets, and we will not let up until we win an economy that works for everyone.”
Last night, in solidarity with Occupy Boston, the film “Occupation,” a documentary about the Harvard University Living Wage Sit- in 2001, was showed by Local 615 in Dewey Square at 10:30pm. Harvard Janitor of 10 years, Daniel Mejia spoke to the crowd and said, “At Harvard, It took students occupying the President’s office in 2001 for janitors like me to earn a more just wage and affordable health care. Before their occupation, our wages were frozen, there were no sick days and health care was unaffordable. History is repeating itself as our struggle as working families continues.”
For more information, call Communications Coordinator Sarah Betancourt at 617-878-7492
________________________________________________________
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Contacts: Nancy Kohn 617-522-9478, 617-504-9773 nkohn@seiu615.org
Sarah Betancourt 617-878-7492, 802-999-2400 sbetancourt@seiu615.org
Academic Excess: Executive Compensation at Leading Private Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts
Boston: According to a new report out from the Center for Social Philanthropy at the Tellus Institute today, executive salaries at the top 20 universities have risen at the same time that college tuitions have become increasingly unaffordable for working families. According to the report,the 20 most well endowed Massachusetts colleges paid more than $157 million to just 339 officers, directors, and “key employees.” For a full copy of the report go to http://www.tellus.org/publications/files/issue-brief-exec-comp-201109.pdf
“The view from Massachusetts is only the tip of the iceberg in excessive college pay in our country,” said Joshua Humphreys, director of the Center for Social Philanthropy at Tellus Institute, a co-author of the report. “While college leaders and their lobbyists complain about the burdens of added disclosure, the fact is that there remain numerous loopholes in reporting requirements that make it difficult for the public to understand just how deeply entrenched excessive compensation has become on college campuses. We need a new social contract for higher education in this country in which transparency becomes a benefit, not a burden.”
The in-depth report focuses on the 20 most well-endowed colleges in Massachusetts. As documented in the center’s recent report on Educational Endowments and the Financial Crisis (2010), Wall Street-style pay packages are now routinely awarded to college presidents, finance and investment officers, athletic directors, and senior professors and administrators; altering pay structures and widening the inequality gap between the highest- and lowest-paid employees on campuses across the commonwealth.
The financial crisis of 2008–09 appears to have done little to dampen the size of compensation packages received by the most highly paid college officials, even as colleges themselves have imposed cuts to programs and lower-level staff, often in response to sharp declines in the value of their endowments. This excessive executive compensation must also be seen in the context of the rapidly rising cost of private, nonprofit higher education which has outstripped the pace of inflation at a staggering rate and placed the burden on students and their families, often putting a college education out of reach.
This report provides the first major comparative analysis of the state of excessive compensation at Massachusetts’ colleges. Through investigative research and a review of recent tax filings, it documents numerous forms of undisclosed compensation senior college officials earn through their service on corporate boards and consulting or speaking to the private sector, activities often fraught with undisclosed and apparent conflicts of interest, as highlighted in the Academy Award-winning documentary Inside Job. These undisclosed pay arrangements have also further magnified the growing pay disparities already seen through disclosed compensation.
For example, twenty college officials reportedly received pay packages larger than $1 million, and nearly half of them made more than $2 million with the highest making in excess of $6 million. (Investment officers at Harvard Management Co. dominate the highest ranks—even though this was the same fiscal year that the value of Harvard’s endowment declined 30 percent, in the aftermath of the financial crisis.) Presidents past and present, chief finance and investment officers and other college officials of Bentley, Boston University, Harvard, MIT, Smith, Tufts and Wellesley—among other schools—receive undisclosed six-figure compensation from service on boards at companies such as Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Bertucci’s, Boston Properties, DuPont, General Electric, Insmed, Progress Energy, Seragen and Unum Group.
This issue brief is of interest to a wide audience of policymakers, legislators, journalists, labor, college faculty, administrators, staff and students, as well as stakeholders in surrounding communities. The inordinately high compensation at institutions that qualify as public charities calls into question pay disparities that tear at the very fabric of our communities. Because nonprofit colleges are tax exempt and heavily dependent upon generous federal and state grants and programs, the taxpaying public finds itself subsidizing this academic excess. Despite new IRS guidelines requiring fuller disclosure of nonprofit compensation since 2008, the compensation of many highly paid college employees remains undisclosed.
The issue brief was co-authored by Humphreys, Catie Ferrara and Bryant Mason, research fellows at the center.