A coalition of leadership from seven Harvard union worker groups on campus met for the first time as a Union Town Hall meeting to protect the constituents they represent and the Harvard community as a whole.
The fact that Harvard University has been targeted by Trump’s hate, greed, and ignorance obligated these union groups to act. It is not the only university in the crosshairs of Trump’s fascist regime, but now it is the focus, garnering worldwide coverage and condemnation, and union leadership is doing what it should do: stepping up.
This unwarranted attack is wreaking havoc, not only to important scientific research that is important to the lives of the world, but also the livelihood of staff workers and students.
After the White House froze two billion dollars in research money allocated to Harvard, staff at the Harvard School of Public Health have been told to stop working and that their jobs are suspended. Many other research programs have been halted, and others, if the tap of funding is not turned back on, will soon grind to a halt.
Harvard careers will be permanently affected, and as dreadful as that is, that is not the most terrifying crime being carried out in the working community. Trump and his henchmen are targeting international students who dared to exercise their right to free speech.
The news regularly reports on masked individuals kidnapping international students from universities across the country off the street, for as little as writing an article in protest of the war in Gaza. The stress level on campus is high and palpable.
Just the day before, rumors of ICE on campus led to a flood of emails warning international students to be wary, and this union coalition is at the forefront of support.
In this time of uncertainty, the unified stance of Harvard’s union leadership is essential. When corrupt power is used to intimidate, silence, and tear apart institutions of learning and the livelihoods within them, solidarity becomes our necessary defense.
These unions are not simply protecting our jobs; they are standing guard over academic freedom, human dignity, and the right to dissent without fear.
The actions of these workers echo far beyond the campus gates. Their courage and clarity remind us of the true strength of unions. In dark times, it is solidarity that lights the way forward.
By Andrew Burke
