Kennedy Addresses HUCTW

Poor and working class Americans must present a united front to force a change in the nation's political system, Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-Mass.) told members of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW) on Monday.

Kennedy, who represents the eighth congressional district of Massachusetts, was the keynote speaker for a HUCTW rally that launched a week of events celebrating the labor union's fifth anniversary.

"The working people of his country have allies in the poor and it is only by trying to keep that coalition together that we can change America," Kennedy said.

Five years ago this week, a majority of Harvard's 3,600 clerical and technical employees voted in favor of establishing HUCTW. The vote followed a lengthy court battle with the University, which opposed the union's formation.

The union, which is affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, is the largest union of its type in the country.

Kennedy, who has voiced his support of the union in the past, received a standing ovation from about 200 union members as he stepped up to the Ames Courtroom podium at the Law School's Austin Hall.

In his 15-minute address, the representative spoke about the impact labor unions can have on improving working conditions and ensuring the fair treatment of all employees.

"For every one dollar a man makes in the United States, a woman makes 69 cents," Kennedy said. "There are significant issues of equality still at stake in America and the only way it will change is if you participate."

Kennedy then strayed from the topic of labor unions to voice his support for President Clinton's $16 billion economic stimulus package, which was recently killed in the Senate by a Republican filibuster. He also applauded the president's proposal to raise taxes on wealthy Americans.

"The issue is not just whether we balance the budget in America," Kennedy said. "Unless you invest in the poor, unless you put something an to educate our children [and] give them a job what you're going to end up with is America competing with Mexico Latin America, southeast Asia and the third world."

Monday's rally also included a performance by The Pipettes, the union's singing group led by HUCTW Director Bill Jaeger.

Other HUCTW anniversary events planned for this week include a "weenie" cookout tonight at Phillips Brooks House, a panel discussion at the Graduate School of Education tomorrow night about the union's last contract negotiations, and a ceremonial signing of the new contract on Friday

Monday's rally also included a performance by The Pipettes, the union's singing group led by HUCTW Director Bill Jaeger.

Other HUCTW anniversary events planned for this week include a "weenie" cookout tonight at Phillips Brooks House, a panel discussion at the Graduate School of Education tomorrow night about the union's last contract negotiations, and a ceremonial signing of the new contract on Friday