Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Harvard University Custodians Secure Powerful New Tentative Agreement

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Custodians at Harvard University—who are represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ—reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract on Tuesday, containing the largest pay bumps workers have seen in decades.

The deal comes after months of intense negotiations, during which members held rallies with lawmakers and community allies and staged a two-day strike. Both direct employees of the prestigious university and contracted staff would be covered by the agreement. Highlights include a $4 an hour wage increase—retroactive to the expiration of the previous contract—over the lifetime of the agreement, a ratification bonus, stronger job-security language, retention of health care benefits and more.

“It was a long, hard process, but we finally got an agreement we can stand behind with pride,” said Helena Bandeira, a member of the union’s bargaining committee. “We risked our lives in the pandemic; we were the first to respond to the terrible snowstorms this year; and we are finally getting the increase and support for our existing benefits that will help us catch up with the rising costs of living in Massachusetts.”