Harvard Halts Food Talks; Requests Federal Mediator

Harvard's chief labor negotiator has cancelled the opening session talks to renew food service workers' contract with the University due to union demands that the meetings be open to press and community observers. Harvard and union officials reported yesterday.

The University has instead asked a federal mediator to help resolve the dispute over whether the contract talks should be open to the public before negotiations begin, an official of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service said yesterday.

But Domenic M. Bozzotto, president of International Hotel, Restaurant, and International Employees and Bartenders Union Local 26, which represents Harvard dining hall workers, said yesterday he would not agree to submit the dispute to a mediator.

Bozzotto said the University could bring the issue up at the negotiations and the union's negotiating committee would decide how to respond to its objections. A federal mediator should not be brought into the talks unless contract negotiations have broken down, Bozzotto added, calling mediation "an admission of failure."

Edward W. Powers, associate general counsel for employee relations was not available for comment late yesterday on how the University would respond to Bozzotto's refusal.

Powers has opposed admitting the public to contract talks in the past because he says it would prevent "frank and open" discussions. He has not said whether he would refuse to negotiate under the circumstances however.

Federal mediators are generally called into contract talks when both sides feel they cannot reconcile their difference.

Powers said yesterday negotiating session for did not want to open the contract talks with a confrontation over whether the negotiations should be open to the public.

Federal mediations would allow the two sides to discuss the negotiation process as well as other contract issues in private, Powers said. "I'm trying to get around the issue [of an open meeting] by insisting the mediator," Powers added.

Bozzotto claimed Powers hide behind the have the courage to say want you [the press] at the Bozzotto added.

Bozzotto also said closing negotiations would not keep the proceedings from being publicized. "The only difference is you'd hear it from out point of view," he predicted.

The food service workers' three-year-contract with the University will expire June 19. The union has asked Harvard for a dollar-an-hour, across-the-board wage hike and free medical insurance for workers. Local 26 has introduced a set of "worker dignity" proposals such as a ban on possible subcontracting of food services.

The dining hall workers have not struck over a contract since they were unionized 45 years ago.

Federal mediations would allow the two sides to discuss the negotiation process as well as other contract issues in private, Powers said. "I'm trying to get around the issue [of an open meeting] by insisting the mediator," Powers added.

Bozzotto claimed Powers hide behind the have the courage to say want you [the press] at the Bozzotto added.

Bozzotto also said closing negotiations would not keep the proceedings from being publicized. "The only difference is you'd hear it from out point of view," he predicted.

The food service workers' three-year-contract with the University will expire June 19. The union has asked Harvard for a dollar-an-hour, across-the-board wage hike and free medical insurance for workers. Local 26 has introduced a set of "worker dignity" proposals such as a ban on possible subcontracting of food services.

The dining hall workers have not struck over a contract since they were unionized 45 years ago.

Bozzotto also said closing negotiations would not keep the proceedings from being publicized. "The only difference is you'd hear it from out point of view," he predicted.

The food service workers' three-year-contract with the University will expire June 19. The union has asked Harvard for a dollar-an-hour, across-the-board wage hike and free medical insurance for workers. Local 26 has introduced a set of "worker dignity" proposals such as a ban on possible subcontracting of food services.

The dining hall workers have not struck over a contract since they were unionized 45 years ago.