Brazilian industrialist and Harvard Business School graduate, Ricardo Semler demonstrates in his company, SEMCO, that innovative labor practices which respect and empower workers are not only possible but that they also constitute powerful alternatives, outpacing other models in efficiency and productivity.
SEMCO's commitment to genuine transparency produces a desirable alternative in labor relations to the endless series of labor disputes we see here at Harvard.
This page focuses on offering solutions, whether by presenting examples from across the globe or providing concrete ideas specific to Harvard. Unlike prior attempts at a system of feedback and dialogue by the university, we are not just interested in small cuts to academic or residential life. Instead, we see the current budget crisis as an opportunity to articulate a vision for a better university entirely—a university committed to equitable labor relations, an academic experience that is continuously enriched by the individuals who make up this community, and a fiscally and financially responsible administration.
While achieving these goals are difficult, we defiantly reject the presumption that they are mutually exclusive. We challenge the simple economism echoed by certain voices here at Harvard, which dictates to us the necessity of layoffs in the face of financial threats to the Harvard experience. Our greatest endowment is not to be seen in our stock portfolios but among the many brilliant and courageous minds here at Harvard. As a community dedicated to solving the world's most pressing issues, we should also be able to bring our intellect and creativity to bear on these problems.
