City Council calls on colleges to pay, offer healthcare to workers

The Council voted to adopt a resolution filed by Councilors Essaibi-George and Janey in support of staff at Boston colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The closures of college campuses have led to thousands of workers being laid off, putting many dining hall workers, librarians, janitors, security guards, and support staff at our colleges and universities in a precarious financial position.

Some area colleges and universities, including Harvard, MIT and Tufts, have agreed to continue to pay and offer benefits such as healthcare for some of their workers and subcontracted employees; however, other universities in Boston and nearby have not taken the same steps and have decided not to pay or offer healthcare for their workers.

The Boston City Council went on record expressing support of UNITE HERE Local 26, SEIU 32BJ, SEIU 888, and SEIU 509 and called on the administration of all Colleges and Universities to pay and offer healthcare for their workers for the duration of the current public health crisis, whether directly employed or subcontracted.