Some background information on the issue

In 1994, Tufts University made an unprecedented move in Boston by outsourcing its janitorial staff. While most universities in the area at the time still employed their janitors themselves (known as an in-house workforce), Tufts began contracting out this labor to cheaper outside cleaning contractor (a process known as out-sourcing). While this helped cut operating costs at the university, it also established a very dangerous precedent. Universities were no longer bound to a higher standard of commitment to all of their employees. Instead, these institutions of higher education could adopt a more corporate model which cut-costs, while maintaining a facade of community to the academic body of the university. Once out-sourced, the janitors faced drastic pay cuts and the loss of all Tufts benefits, such as being on the Tufts health care plan and workers' children receiving free tuition to Tufts.

For more information on the history of out-sourcing at Tufts, please see Tufts University physics professor and social activist Gary Goldstein's speech to the Ethical Society of Boston.


It was this injustice 15 years ago that has led to the current disparity between Tufts janitors, an integral part of Tufts operations, and the rest of the Tufts community.This schism can be seen both in terms of community and compensation. Since the janitors are contracted workers not directly employed by Tufts, many other members of the Tufts community, especially undergraduate students, whose interaction with the janitors is limited to four years, fail to acknowledge the janitors' rightful place within the community. The recently formed student group Jumbo Janitor Alliance has worked throughout this past year, and will continue to work, to help bridge this community divide. By hosting events involving Tufts janitors and other members of the Tufts community, the group hopes to promote dialog that will bring all the different sections of the Tufts community together.

However, in terms of wages and benefits, the only current way for Tufts janitors to receive compensation similar to other Tufts employees is through contract negotiations. As noted earlier, this is the only time during which the janitors may hope to improve their working conditions. In order to receive their demands, the community must stand behind them as the workers are going up against a national cleaning contractor and university with vast resources at its disposal.