Paid Holidays

I work for a public college and our department operates 24/7/365.

When the college shuts down for breaks, like spring break, Christmas , recognized holidays, etc. all employees with the exception of the people in my department are given time off with pay. The only perk we receive is time and half if we work a recognized holiday. The employee handbook list the recognized holidays as a benefit of employment but they do not want to give us the benefit of the recognized holidays Can they do this? Seems unfair.