Labor

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.

BOSTON/Downtown Crossing - About 30 activists - primarily from Service Employees International Union Local 615 and local labor advocacy organizations - formed a picket line outside the McDonald's restaurant at 146 Tremont St. near Park St. Station to protest the McDonald's Corporation's role in attempting to defeat the Employee Free Choice Act, a pro-union bill under consideration by Congress.

BOSTON/Copley Square - On Tuesday, a 20 person delegation representing unionized security guards from the Service Employees International Union Local 615 - including guards, union staff, and supporters from the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and Jobs with Justice - entered the lobby of the 200 Berkeley St. headquarters of Manulife Financial (formerly John Hancock) and attempted to meet with company management to enlist their support in ongoing contract negotiations with Manulife's security contractor, Securitas.

BOSTON/Government Center - Workers contracted to clean and maintain several well known restaurants in the greater Boston area are accusing their employers of withholding wages, refusing to pay overtime, and other violations of state and federal labor laws.

Advocates from several immigrant rights organizations say more than thirty immigrant workers have not received portions of their salaries in recent months.