Politically Charged Union Bosses Push Harvard Custodians Into Strike Without a Member Vote
Sources: Boston.com, The Harvard Crimson
Harvard University custodians represented by SEIU Local 32BJ went on strike, even though union officials initiated the two-day walkout without a member vote, and only a small fraction of the roughly 800 custodians chose to join the picket lines.
Union Boss Injects National Politics Into Campus Strike
Rather than focusing narrowly on workplace negotiations, SEIU Local 32BJ bosses escalated the conflict by framing the strike in sweeping national political terms.
32BJ SEIU Executive Vice-President Kevin Brown issued a statement proclaiming:
“We have stood with Harvard in opposition to the Trump administration’s financial attacks and its attempt to force the university to conform to an extreme ideological agenda.”
Custodians Themselves Never Voted to Strike
In an unusual break from the typical union process, custodians represented by SEIU Local 32BJ did not vote to authorize the strike.
According to The Crimson:
- No member vote occurred before union officials called the walkout.
- One bargaining committee member admitted it was difficult to convince coworkers to leave work.
- Some custodians instead participated only during their lunch breaks, unwilling to miss their shift.
- Only several dozen workers picketed across campus—far below the 500 directly employed Harvard custodians.
The lack of a vote raises questions about how widely custodians actually support the strike and whether union bosses are acting independently of their own membership.
Harvard Continues to Offer Meetings and Negotiations
Despite the walkout, Harvard officials emphasized their continued commitment to bargaining in good faith.
Jason Newton, Harvard spokesperson, reiterated that the university is actively engaging with union officials, has offered additional meeting times, and is seeking a fair, mutually beneficial contract.
Newton stated:
“We are also actively engaging union leadership and have offered additional meeting times so we can continue the negotiations, in good faith, toward a fair contract, beneficial to all.”
With the university openly requesting more negotiation sessions, the decision by union bosses to strike—without a membership vote—stands in stark contrast.
What Harvard Employees Should Remember
Although SEIU Local 32BJ called the strike, individual employees still have rights:
- Because Harvard is a private institution, Janus rights do not apply.
- If custodians are union members, the union may impose internal fines for refusing to strike.
- Workers who wish to avoid union penalties must consult their union membership rules.
Still, custodians who are unsure about participating should know that the decision to strike is ultimately a personal choice, even when union bosses attempt to frame the action as unanimous or politically necessary.
For more information on your rights as an employee regarding unions, visit Know Your Rights.
