Contracts for Harvard’s unionized workers—teachers, police, and DPW workers—are typically negotiated behind closed doors, with rare glimpses of what’s at stake for each side. But the long-running negotiation between the town and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents DPW’s 10 laborers, drivers, groundskeepers, equipment operators, and a mechanic, has become impossible to ignore.
Union representatives claim that current wages and benefits make it impossible to recruit—and retain—experienced personnel. The consequences became visible last week, when the understaffed groundskeeping crew responsible for preparing athletic fields for fall sports was unable to keep up with the demand for its services. As our page 1 story outlines, the Parks and Recreation Commission was forced to hire outside contractors to do much of the work, with additional help from parent volunteers. And with winter approaching, it’s essential the department be fully staffed with employees who can handle the heavy—and expensive—equipment for snow and ice removal.
Financial uncertainty and COVID-19 may have played a role this past year in the town’s inability to reach a timely agreement with the union (see our story on page 1), but the time for delay is past. At a Finance Committee meeting two weeks ago, a member suggested that Harvard voters be given a chance to weigh in. Town Meeting is Harvard’s legislative body and the ultimate decider when it comes to approving the money needed to pay for a collective bargaining agreement. We urge the union and town negotiators to make haste to conclude a new three-year contract in time to put the necessary funding to a vote at Town Meeting in October.
Winter is coming, when DPW snow plows can make a lifesaving difference. The time to think about that is now.
