HUCTW Plans September Vote

Members of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW) will decide whether to ratify a new three-year contract on September 12, according to a pamphlet released last week.

The pamphlet, which all union members should receive by campus mail this week, is also being distributed at lunchtime informational meetings at which members of the negotiating team have been explaining the details of the contract to members. Unions leaders have already held 30 such meetings, according to Union President Donene M. Williams.

The pamphlet summarizes the new contract, including the salary increase program, benefits, worker family programs and vacation time.

Its cover letter "enthusiastically" recommends the new contract. In the letter, union negotiators say they are "pleased and proud to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement with the University on a new three-year contract."

Salary Increases

The salary increase program in the new contract is a "continuation of the progression increase program," meaning that staff will get increases in pay depending on how long they have been employed. The proposed contract also includes structural increases for all workers.

"Overall, the average effect of this salary increase program will be an 11.2 percent increase over the three years," the pamphlet says. A worksheet is included in the literature to help staff members calculate their own raises.

Benefits

The two sides could not come to any final agreement on benefits, which all sides agreed was the most contentious issue during negotiations. But the union and the University have agreed to continue discussing the implementation of the benefits plan.

"HUCTW and the University have agreed to terms which allow for continuing discussion and action on a set of benefits changes already implemented for exempt staff and faculty during the last year," the pamphlet says. "A schedule has been arrived at for delayed implementation of benefits changes for HUCTW members."

During the negotiations, union members strongly criticized the proposed benefits package, especially the reductions which it said "penalized" part-time workers. The new schedule delays implementation of that portion of the package until January, 1997.

The University will implement pension plan changes next July. The rest of the package, including a $10 co-payment for doctor's visits, will take effect in January, according to thepamphlet.

The pamphlet also discussed the new JointCommittee on Benefits, which will begin meetingimmediately for continued discussion of benefitspolicies.

"It is clearly authorized to recommend specificamendments and new alternatives to any benefitsprograms," the pamphlet says.

According to Merry Touborg, a spokesperson forthe Office of Human Resources, the membership ofthe committee has not been finalized yet.

"I know there are discussions going on aboutthat, but as far as I know, nothing has beendecided," Touborg said yesterday. "There's sometalk about names, but it's in the discussionstage."

Other Issues

According to the pamphlet, the new contractincreases the number of staff sick days for careof dependents from nine to 12.

The child care assistance funds will beincreased each year, an adoption assistance fundwill be created and a new Work and Family AdvisoryCommittee will be established, according to thepamphlet.

"Among other issues, the Committee willconsider the question of new programs providingfor paid parental leave for fathers and adoptiveparents," the pamphlet says.

Educational assistance will be increased andtime off during the Christmas holiday will beadded under the new contract. Portions of thecontract also stress the importance of flexibilityin scheduling and the importance of internal hireswhen possible