PJA boycotts Insomnia Cookies

PJA has pledged to boycott Insomnia Cookies until they settle all outstanding labor disputes. According to the Student Labor Action Movement:

At Insomnia, "drivers" were paid only $5 an hour plus tips, riding their own bikes, and still weren't making minimum wage. On deliveries, they were also pressured to minimize delivery time, which led to unsafe biking conditions. Bakers, who were paid $9 an hour, were doing double duty as bakers and cashiers, and were not being paid accordingly. Workers also noted that they weren't always allowed their legally mandated break time and a general lack of respect for workers in the store. 

In response, at 12:00 am on Sunday, August 18, the night shift at the Harvard Square Insomnia Cookies voted to initiate a strike for higher wages, healthcare, better job stability, and freedom to build a union. 

As Insomnia's target market, we as college students have an important role to play in this struggle. By choosing not to buy from Insomnia Cookies, we can put pressure on management to give its workers the power they deserve. Our actions have consequences, and there is no neutral ground here. 

Your organization can also sign to boycott using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10JguQpA6uu-FjJDUvbZDK1v0GWmktva6cMXOuJb3kMY/viewform

Students Vote Yes on Referenda!

Congratulations to students in the Responsible Investment at Harvard Coalition, the Divest for Our Future Campaign, and Our Harvard Can Do Better -- students voted decisively in favor of changed sexual assault policy and ethical investment in last week's election.

PJA Endorses Responsible Investment at Harvard

PJA has officially endorsed the Responsible Investment at Harvard Coalition!

The campaign is demanding that the Harvard Management Company:

1. Create a Social Choice Fund that prioritizes investment opportunities which promote the social good and yield high returns
2. Create a transparent policy to incorporate environmental, social and governance due diligence into all aspects of the investment portfolio
3. Disclosure mechanism for past investments
4. Strengthen the Advisory Committee on Shareholder Responsibility and the Corporation Committee on Shareholder Responsibility

 They have launched The Fair Harvard Fund, a campaign urging Harvard to accept a social impact fund as part of its endowment. You can learn more and support the campaign at fairharvardfund.com and responsibleharvard.com!

PJA Endorses Sweatshop-Free Clothing at Harvard

The Progressive Jewish Alliance has endorsed a campaign for the Harvard Coop to carry more living-wage apparel and less sweatshop apparel.

You can read more about the campaign here at http://sweatshopfreeclothingatharvard.wordpress.com/.

Join us in signing a petition to the Harvard Coop at http://www.change.org/petitions/the-harvard-coop-increase-stock-of-alta-gracia-apparel!