HUCTW Rallies in Yard

About 150 members of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers rallied in the Yard on Friday to celebrate the union's eighth birthday.

Union members took the opportunity to protest the University's policies on benefits for part-time workers.

Union President Donene M. Williams said the University's Joint Benefits Committee is "meeting and working, but we haven't yet successfully reached an agreement on the co-payment situation."

At the rally, the union members marched from the John Harvard Statue and circled around Mass. Hall. Meanwhile, union members played the drums and Batucada bells.

Union members also chanted slogans such as "We need health care, yes we do, we have jobs and families too."

The union also chanted "Premium part-time co-pay health, why don't they just keep our paychecks."

"I think [Provost Albert Carnesale] is wrong," Williams said at the rally. "They say provost, I say milque toast. The University made a mistake when they cut the benefits for some of the part-time workers on campus, and it's a mistake to think that we will accept the same."

Williams also read statements from several part-time union workers.

Lori Kelley, for example, has worked at the Law School for 11 years and said she needed the money to help her keep her life on track.

"These changes are ridiculous--it hurts the part-timers the most," Kelley said in an interview yesterday. "I always feel like I climb up a couple of steps and get knocked down like five."

Asked if Harvard was knocking her down now, she said flatly: "Yes I do."

"I've been there 11 years," she said. "I think I've earned my right to get these hours and get these rates without having them keep changing them."

Williams also read a statement from Kate Tuttle, a secretary at the Museum of Comparative Zoology.

"As my daughter gets older, I might choose to work full-time, but I want that to be my choice--not something necessitated by the administration cutting my benefits to enhance its profit margin," Tuttle said.

On a lighter note, the union also distributed birthday cupcakes and sang "Happy Birthday."

Harvard officials could not be reached for comment yesterday

Williams also read a statement from Kate Tuttle, a secretary at the Museum of Comparative Zoology.

"As my daughter gets older, I might choose to work full-time, but I want that to be my choice--not something necessitated by the administration cutting my benefits to enhance its profit margin," Tuttle said.

On a lighter note, the union also distributed birthday cupcakes and sang "Happy Birthday."

Harvard officials could not be reached for comment yesterday