Photo: Emma Friedman/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Harvard custodians and supporters gathered in Harvard Yard to rally for wage increases on Monday.
"Last month, hundreds of custodians walked off the job during a series of one-day strikes, after hours of fruitless attempts to get the university to offer meaningful wage increases needed to offset the skyrocketing cost-of-living since the pandemic," 32BJ SEIU, the union that represents the custodial staff at Harvard, said in a statement to WBZ NewsRadio.
They also stated while they understand the university was attacked by the Trump Administration this year, they are still the richest university in the world, and they should be able to provide substantial wage increases.
State Rep. Marjorie Decker spoke at the rally on Monday and said, "they can do this, they have the money, the power, the ability." She told the custodians, "We are standing here fighting strong with you, and when you win, we all win."
Finlay Adamson, a student and member of the Labor Improvement Action Project said, "we think that if Boston College can do it, and Mount Holyoke College can do it, Harvard can do it."
"I was once a student on this campus, and graduated back in 2023, one of the first things I learned being a student here is the importance of our workers," said Ayah Al-Zubi, Cambridge City Council member.
In a statement to WBZ NewsRadio, Harvard said they proposed a five-year contract with a salary increase of 13.5% from today’s base salary of $28.68 per hour over the five years, along with a one-time $2,000 bonus.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.
