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HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES Agreement Reached On 'Casual' Employees
The University and the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW) have reached a comprehensive agreement relating to past use of the casual payroll. The agreement provides employment and monetary benefits to current Harvard employees performing clerical or technical work who were retained on the casual payroll longer than specified in the Harvard/HUCTW collective bargaining agreement. The union contract (and a long-standing Harvard policy) provides that a "casual" employee is one who works less than 17.5 hours per week, or works for three months or less, or who replaces a regular employee with a right of reinstatement after a leave period. Casual employees do not participate in most of the University’s benefits plans and programs. More than a year ago, HUCTW expressed concern that some employees may have been employed in positions on the casual payroll for longer than the contract stipulates. In response, Harvard began collecting data from the Schools and administrative units necessary to assess the scope of the problem. These data were shared with HUCTW. A group of four HUCTW and four Harvard representatives met weekly (and in smaller groups more frequently) over the summer to analyze the data and to discuss remedial possibilities. This was a positive and constructive process in which HUCTW and Harvard exchanged ideas, listened carefully, and worked well together. In the end, the parties reached an understanding that it was important to compensate current Harvard employees who appear to have been inappropriately classified in the past. An agreement has now been reached that will address past deviation from the proper use of the casual payroll. The nature of the remedy any individual will receive is governed by a formula taking into account the duration and intensity of inappropriate casual service. Covered individuals may receive either permanent or temporary benefited positions and/or lump-sum payments. The settlement agreement balances the legitimate interests of HUCTW in the affected positions and historically accepted personnel practices. In addition, it underscores the strong and productive working relationship between the University and the Union. The problem solved by this agreement is complex and implementation will take a number of months to complete. Office of Human Resources staff and HUCTW leaders will work collaboratively and diligently over the next months to analyze further the work history data of affected employees and to resolve jointly the practical problems that are likely to arise during the implementation period. It is currently expected that the settlement agreement will be fully implemented by the end of the calendar year. Based on currently available data, the parties expect approximately 400 employees to receive either job or monetary entitlements. The cost of implementation has yet to be determined. The Union and the University have also agreed to continue regular discussions, in a working group of HUCTW and University representatives, and on the question of how to articulate and enforce a strong, clear policy on the future use of the casual payroll.October 12, 1999
Copyright 1999 President and Fellows of Harvard College |