Perceptions of unionization: A study of female support staff at Harvard University and the HUCTW

Since the 1980's, many of the clerical and technical support staffs at research universities have unionized. These predominantly female support staff members did so in order to improve their pay and benefits and to gain a collective identity and voice; they chose, in many instances, to affiliate themselves with traditional industrial labor unions. The impetus to organize came from a variety of experiences---because the staff felt they had no control of their work lives; because they desired to work with their employers rather than for them; and because they wanted to improve their opportunities for advancement and pay.;At Harvard University, the interest of the clerical and technical workers in unionization started in the late 1970's, when a group of female laboratory workers earnestly began a drive towards unionization. Although their efforts were unsuccessful, the need for voice, connection and representation remained. Despite the persistent resistance of Harvard's leadership, the steady work of employees-turned-union-organizers came to fruition in May 1988, when Harvard University employees voted to create the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW).;This study examines the perspectives of 27 female HUCTW employees obtained through qualitative interviews and cross-case analysis. The findings from this study suggest that the HUCTW has been effective in some areas of employee work life, such as improving pay and benefits. The HUCTW was effective in fostering a community among those active in the HUCTW and, when approached by employees, effective in representing them in time of crisis or need. Respondents active in the HUCTW had more opportunity to build relationships with volunteers and permanent HUCTW staff than did those not active.;The respondents perceived that HUCTW's was ineffective because of poor leadership and communication, inconsistent representation by the volunteer staff, and absence from the workplace. Despite steadily rising staff wages since the HUCTW's inception, some respondents felt that the HUCTW was not as effective as it could be in securing better pay.;Respondents in this study also raised the issue that the HUCTW and Harvard University may have forged a mutually beneficial relationship that excludes the HUCTW members.