There are approximately 500 custodians at Harvard University.  Their union is SEIU 32BJ.  The union also represents 188,000 other workers; these workers and the union are located in New York City area.

Towards health insurance coverage for its custodian employees, Harvard makes monetary contributions into the SEIU 32BJ health fund which itself covers the entire 188,500+ membership;  the union totally controls this health fund.  During the negotiations in 2016, SEIU 32BJ  promised to the Harvard custodians there would be no costs when using the union health plan.  However, in the last 5 years, the Harvard  custodians have been stuck with hundreds of dollars in excessive cost sharing and out-of-pocket costs, along with limited medical providers in the union plan's network. The union refuses to cover these expenses or even to discuss the issue.

There are upcoming negotiations for the next contract between Harvard University and the union.  Harvard will be making a substantial increase in its contributions for health insurance coverage.  This money, paid into the SEIU 32BJ fund, will ultimately profit union administration expenses and the 188,000+ non-Harvard workers.  This money will be sent to a "black hole". The Harvard custodians are anxious and concerned that these Harvard contributions will be just a slush fund for SEIU 32BJ.  

Support us in preventing this from happening and in ensuring that the Harvard University contributions are for the benefit of those in the Harvard community !