Condemning Harvard's attack on its Graduate Student Union.

WHEREAS: Education, research, and academic inquiry are values intimately connected to the lives, careers, and passions of Somervillians; and WHEREAS: Whereas the Trump administration has targeted education and research including grants, funding, and academic freedom which would have a severe impact on Somerville’s community and economy; and WHEREAS: The Trump administration is targeting Harvard University, which employs many residents of Somerville; and WHEREAS: Somerville stands against the Trump administration’s attacks on higher education generally and Harvard University specifically, particularly in regards to attacks on international students; and WHEREAS: Somerville recognizes the importance of labor unions to workplace and economic justice; and WHEREAS: Harvard University is attempting to strip union protections away from thousands of workers who are in tenuous positions in science research, relying on anticipated support from Trump’s conservative and anti-worker National Labor Relations Board; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council strongly opposes Harvard administrators’ recent declaration that they intend to strip thousands of workers from the Harvard Graduate Students Union bargaining unit, is opposed to all forms of union busting, and urges these administrators to undo these actions; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That Somerville urges Harvard Administration to seriously engage with the demands of our residents organizing with the Harvard Graduate Students Union on issues from fair pay, to protections from harassment and discrimination, to resources for non-citizens; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Harvard University administration and president. CONDITION/AMENDMENT AMENDMENT: WHEREAS: Education, research, and academic inquiry are values intimately connected to the lives, careers, and passions of Somervillians; and WHEREAS: Whereas the Trump administration has targeted education and research including grants, funding, and academic freedom at Harvard University; and WHEREAS: Harvard University employs many residents of Somerville; and WHEREAS: Labor unions play a critical role in workplace and economic justice; and WHEREAS: Harvard University is attempting to strip union protections away from workers who are in tenuous positions in science research, including by removing hundreds of students from the Harvard Graduate Student Union; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council strongly opposes these actions by Harvard, is opposed to all forms of union busting, and urges Harvard administrators to undo these actions; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That Somerville urges Harvard Administration to seriously engage with the demands of the Harvard Graduate Students Union on issues from fair pay, to protections from harassment and discrimination, to resources for non-citizens; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Harvard University administration and president.