Yale Union Considers Proposal To Return to Work Temporarily

A proposal by the leaders of Yale's striking clerical and technical workers union to return temporarily to work has angered rank-and-file members of the AFL-CIO local.

Local 34 officials last night drew up the proposal which calls for a "reinvasion of the workplace," in order to frustrate what they termed the university's starvation tactics.

The union is scheduled to vote on the proposal tomorrow.

Some other participants in the two-month old strike, however, criticized the proposed tactic and said the move would be tantamount to giving in.

Likely to Lose Supporting Union

Local 34 anticipates a loss in strength when arbitrators had down an overdue ruling on whether members of the service and maintenance workers' union. Local 35, can legally honor their co-workers' picket lines.

The ruling may find Local 35 in violation of its contract's no-strike clause and subject to heavy fines unless its members return to work. Moreover, the local may break the picket lines voluntarily in an effort to save strike funds for mid-January when its contract ends.

Last week, members of both unions suggested returning to work with the same mid-January deadline, claiming the threat of a renewed walkout by both locals would likely prompt a university compromise offer.

A Yale spokesman refused comment on the issue. Union organizer Wendy C. Wipprecht '72 said the university's latest proposal included only insignificant raises in salary and the dental plan. Talks will resume today at noon.

Won't Walk Out Again

"I don't like it [the plan to return to work], and if they force me to go back in. I will not come out in January," said local 34 member Rae Voila. She added she felt her local should not go back just because local 35-might want to.

Voila concluded that the proposal will probably garner a majority vote in he scheduled meeting tomorrow.

Wipprecht admitted not liking the idea at first, but added she now sees it as "the more efficient of two weapons," describing the return as a "stilletto to the heart," as opposed to the "baseball bat" technique of staying off the job. "Both would get the job done," she said.

"I know when I go in. I'll go in fighting [to organize nonstriking workers]," said Wipprecht.