Amid a snowstorm that struck the Harvard campus late Sunday, custodians tasked with snow removal and other essential duties reported significant difficulties in finding suitable places to sleep. Although the University indicated that food and lodging would be provided for custodians working extended shifts, many of the designated sleeping areas lacked sufficient cots, forcing some workers to seek refuge in makeshift spots such as common rooms in freshman dorms and custodial closets.
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Sonia Piers, a shop steward for the Service Employees International Union’s 32BJ, noted that she was one of about 15 custodians who roamed Harvard Yard searching for makeshift accommodations that night. Some found space on the floor of common areas, highlighting a critical shortage of resting facilities.
One student, Eleshaday Mengiste ’29, witnessed Piers looking for a place to sleep in the Straus Hall common room, which was already occupied by students. The students then invited Piers and other custodians to rest in the common area, providing them with water. Mengiste expressed disbelief that custodians had to sleep in common rooms instead of designated accommodations.
Another custodian, Itelvina Fernandez, shared her distress about the lack of appropriate resting spaces, especially as she needed to wake at 3:30 a.m. for work. John Samnell, a custodian with 45 years of service at Harvard, chose to sleep in a custodial closet after finding the Matthews Hall common room occupied until the early hours of the morning.
Historically, Harvard has offered sleeping accommodations during severe weather, but custodians reported that the provisions made on this occasion were inadequate. Franklin Soults, the regional communications manager of 32BJ-SEIU, indicated that one academic building had only 25 cots available for around 40 custodians needing rest.
A University spokesperson mentioned that Harvard Campus Services has an “Emergency Response & Staffing Policy” that is reviewed biannually. This policy ensures that essential services are maintained during bad weather and states that those working extended hours should receive appropriate breaks.
Under the current contract with the union, custodians working shifts from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., as well as those involved in snow removal, receive a $1.75 per hour premium.
Soults emphasized the essential role custodians play at Harvard, arguing that their contributions have not been met with adequate support from the University. He expressed hope for a favorable contract outcome, as 32BJ-SEIU is in negotiations with the University over wages and healthcare, with Harvard’s recent proposal of raising wages while freezing healthcare subsidies until 2029 being a major sticking point.
Soults acknowledged the frustration and anxiety among custodians regarding the ongoing negotiations but commended them for their commitment to their responsibilities despite the circumstances.