In a rare union win inside one of Boston's private clubs, more than 160 employees at the Harvard Club of Boston have voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445 after an NLRB-run election. The early March vote delivered roughly a two-thirds majority in favor and covers frontline dining and kitchen staff across the club's Back Bay restaurants, inn and fitness facilities. Workers say many have been without a contract since June 2024 and report earning roughly $21 to $25 an hour.
How the Vote Played Out
According to the National Labor Relations Board, the representation election was conducted and tallied March 5-6 under case number 01-RC-379523, with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445 listed as the petitioner. NLRB records show a petition was filed Jan. 21, 2026, and that the unit excludes managers, security staff and certain independent contractors. The tally recorded roughly 65 percent of ballots in favor, which certified the union as the workers' bargaining representative.
Workers Say Wages Lag
Longtime staff told The Boston Globe that they organized over pay, benefits and job security. Bartender Andy Bertrand, who has been at the club for more than two decades, told the Globe, "We've been underpaid," and employees in both front-of-house and kitchen roles said base pay generally falls between $21 and $25 an hour while many do not receive tips. Organizers said a number of staff hold multiple jobs to keep up with Boston's rising cost of living.
Federal Settlement Draws Scrutiny
The club also landed under a spotlight earlier this year after federal prosecutors announced it had agreed to pay about $2.4 million to resolve allegations that it obtained a Paycheck Protection Program loan it was not eligible for, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release. The settlement, announced Jan. 15, 2026, resolved claims under the False Claims Act and included a whistleblower recovery. Workers and union organizers said that episode added fuel to their push for better pay and clearer workplace protections.
What Comes Next
With the NLRB result now in place, the newly organized unit is expected to move into negotiations for a first contract, a process that could stretch for months. Employees told The Boston Globe they have been working without a contract since June 2024. The NLRB docket notes that managerial staff, security personnel and certain independent workers are excluded from the unit, so bargaining will focus on service and kitchen staff.
A Broader Labor Wave
Organizers and labor experts say the Harvard Club vote is part of a broader uptick in private-sector organizing across New England and around the country. The AFL-CIO's roundup of recent worker victories points to gains by UFCW locals and other unions in the region, giving organizers additional momentum and leverage at the bargaining table. UFCW Local 1445 already represents thousands of food-service and grocery workers in the area and will now count the club's employees among its members.
The club did not provide a comment to reporters this week. Union leaders say they will start outreach to members soon to nail down bargaining priorities. For Back Bay diners and club members, the vote signals a workplace shift inside an institution that staff have long criticized over pay and scheduling practices.
