Protest Targets Former Union Carbide and Current Dow Leadership, Calls for Justice for Bhopal Disaster Victims

by Jason Pramas (Staff), Jun-28-10

Cambridge, MA - Outraged at the June 7 decision by an Indian local court to convict 7 former officials of Union Carbide of India Limited of criminal negligence in the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy rather than prosecute them on more serious charges for their roles in the deaths of thousands of residents of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, India, over 30 local advocates held a protest in Harvard Square on Thursday. The advocates also expressed anger that former Union Carbide Corp. CEO Warren Anderson remains free despite having a standing warrant out for his arrest in India to this day.

The demonstration was one of many that have been held around the world since the verdict.

“Layoffs Are Not the New Crimson” - HUCTW and Supporters Rally Against Mass Layoffs at Harvard

by Ana Traynin (Staff), Mar-30-10

Cambridge, MA - About 80 people rallied outside the Holyoke Center administration building at Harvard University early Thursday evening in support for the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers. The group gathered to protest the recent announcement of five more union employees losing their jobs at the Sackler Museum at the end of June. The rally also expressed outrage at the continued layoff trend, highlighting the loss of over 340 union jobs since last year, last spring’s forced early-retirement offers and the hiring of temporary employees. It was the latest demonstration in the ongoing No Layoffs Campaign at Harvard.

Harvard University Workers Demonstrate Against Mass Layoffs

by Jason Pramas (Staff), Jun-26-09

Cambridge, MA - Over 100 unionized Harvard University workers, students and supporters held a campus rally on Thursday in protest of the mass layoff of 275 employees earlier this week - representing 2 percent of Harvard's 16,000-person workforce. Organizers said that as the richest university in the world, with billions of dollars in its endowment, Harvard "owes more to community residents than mass layoffs."

Boston Labor Protests New Harvard University Layoffs as Students Walk

by Jesse Kirdahy-Scalia (Staff), Jun-05-09

Cambridge, MA - As Harvard students walked in Thursday's commencement ceremonies, members and spokespersons of local unions, students and concerned community members rallied on the edge of the campus to protest the dozens of recent layoffs and Harvard University's newly announced plans to fire an additional four HUCTW employees from the School of Design. The action was part of the unions' and students' "No Layoffs Campaign," which aims to halt layoffs and reinstate those who have lost their jobs.

Human Rights Activists Seek Immediate Release of Dr. Binayak Sen at Cambridge Protest Vigil

by Jason Pramas (Staff), May-15-09

Cambridge, MA - Over 70 people representing a number of human rights organizations gathered next to the Harvard Square T stop yesterday evening for a vigil to protest the continued incarceration of Dr. Binayak Sen - a noted human rights activist and physician for indigenous communities in Central India - and mark the second anniversary of his imprisonment on what activists say are false charges.

Twin Labor Demonstrations Demand End to Layoffs of Harvard University Staff Amidst Campus-wide Budget Cuts

by Jason Pramas (Staff), Mar-06-09

Cambridge, MA - Two rallies against proposed staff layoffs at Harvard University were held at Holyoke Center in Harvard Square yesterday by unions and student allies at 12:30 and 4 p.m. respectively. The first protest, led by members of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers, drew over 100 people. The second, led by the Service Employees International Union Local 615, drew over 200 people and marched onto the main Harvard campus - concluding with a short rally outside Massachusetts Hall.

Local Human Rights Groups Protest Israeli Attack on Gaza Strip; Latest in Series of Boston-Area Responses to the Growing Crisis

by Jason Pramas (Staff), Dec-30-08

Cambridge, MA - Over 100 people from the Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights and several other human rights and pro-Palestinian organizations held a spirited protest Monday evening against the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. The action was the latest in a series of local demonstrations called over the last two days by numerous political and religious groups against the air strikes on the densely populated area. The attacks began on December 27th.

Protestors Shut Down Citibank in Harvard Square

by Jason Pramas (Staff), Oct-08-08

Cambridge, MA - VIDEO: Over 75 environmental and housing justice activists picketed Bank of America's Harvard Square branch on Tuesday, then blockaded the nearby Citibank for over an hour in protest of their role in the global financial crisis.

Harvard Square Labor Rally Protests "Union Busting" Consulting Firm

by Jesse Kirdahy-Scalia (Staff), Aug-22-08

Cambridge, Mass. - Consulting firm HR Hero conducted a "Union Avoidance Master Class" at the Sheraton Commander Hotel on Wednesday to train local employers how to keep their workplace union-free. Union members and allies rallied outside the event in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make such tactics less appealing to employers. According to labor spokespeople, HR Hero advises employers on the most effective ways to crush union drives by intimidating workers, spreading misinformation, and stalling collective bargaining processes without breaking current labor laws.