We are a broad coalition of Harvard community members demanding fair contracts for dining hall workers, janitors, and security guards at Harvard.

We know that what affects any one of us affects all of us at Harvard. When any one of us cannot afford to pay for basic necessities, we all bear the responsibility. As the recent mumps outbreak has shown, when any member of our community is sick, everyone’s health is at risk. The dining hall staff, security guards, and janitors affected by these contract negotiations form the glue that holds the Harvard community together. To now deny them basic access to affordable healthcare services – to in turn jeopardize their safety and livelihood – fundamentally contradicts the principles of justice and equity that our University must stand for. We cannot afford to say that people are members of the Harvard community only when they are healthy, or only when classes are in session. Membership in the Harvard community is not part-time.

Our coalition of community groups is demanding fair contracts for Harvard’s workers with:

• Affordable health care as a right for everyone who works at Harvard.
• No healthcare plan changes that would shift costs to employees who use more health
  care and disproportionately hurt people with chronic conditions.
• Year-round work for dining hall workers, janitors, and security guards in our
  community.