Two major pieces of news today:

1. Harvard administrators have announced that 275 workers will be laid off in the next 7 business days. According to director of Human Resources, Marilyn Hausammann, "About half of the positions eliminated are administrative or professional positions, and almost all of the remaining ones are clerical or technical jobs". For the Harvard Magazine story click here. Harvard's clerical and technical workers are planning a rally along with students for this Thursday, 12pm, in front of the John Harvard statue in front of University Hall.

2. We've heard that Harvard's security contract has been moved from Allied Barton to Securitas USA. And because the security workers' union contract is with Allied Barton and not Securitas USA, Harvard's security workers might not have a union contract next year.

Now more than ever is the time for Harvard's community members to send a message of collective sacrifice and compassion. It is not too late to implement creative solutions for budget cuts, to enact voluntary pay cuts for higher paid faculty, and to bring our community together. To those workers who received notices of layoffs today, our hearts go out to you.