November 4, 2014
By Neal Tepel
Boston, Mass. – SEIU 32BJ District 615 reached an agreement with Boston University. That contract will include a 10 percent raise over four years and affordable healthcare benefits. The agreement will cover almost 800 custodians, mailroom operators, groundskeepers and skilled trades in 300 facilities throughout the Boston University campus.
"We don't take the possibility of a strike lightly, but the workers who make BU strong are ready to do what it takes to protect their families," said Roxana Rivera, director of 32BJ SEIU District 615. “In a city that is becoming increasingly unequal, this contract will keep BU workers strongly in the middle class.”
The union gained strong support from faculty, students and many in city government. "The future of the middle class in our city depends on preserving good jobs," said Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson. "The BU workers deserve a fair contract."
"The cost of living keeps getting higher," said Chanda Jones, a Boston University custodian. "This is not easy for us, but we want to be able to support our families in the same way we support BU."
