A Bad Place to Work

With the controversy surrounding former cook and union steward Darryl Hicks, the Harvard Union dining hall has been transformed in recent weeks into a verbal battleground, rife with allegations, counter allegations and counter-counter allegations. And regardless of the merit of any accusation, one thing is clear: The Union is an unduly harsh working environment. As one employee told The Crimson, "morale sucks."

A university that publicly claims a commitment to worker-management relations should not allow this to happen.

Harvard has been remiss on several counts. The principal fault lies with Harvard Dining Services Director Michael P. Berry, who directly oversees the Union and should be vigilant in ensuring that a Harvard dining hall is operating smoothly. Berry has been inaccessible to workers with complaints, sending a terrible message for those with legitimate problems.

Human Resources Director Diane Patrick has a similar responsibility to guarantee the smoothness of worker-management relations. Also accountable is the Office of the General Counsel. University Attorney Anne Taylor it was "a mistake" that Harvard failed to file a timely response to a complaint Hicks lodged with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

It was some "mistake." We hope it isn't usual practice for the University to respond three months later to complaints of racism. And we hope it isn't usual practice for Harvard lawyers like Taylor to fail to inform managers like Berry of complaints of racism. According to official statements by Harvard, Berry didn't learn about the complaint to MCAD until months after it was made.

To excuse their neglectful actions, Harvard officials have been disingenuous. For example, since 1991, Hicks had requested to be transferred from the Union six times. Administrators have collectively offered three different stories about why they refused to transfer the worker, continuing to revise the "official" version when more and more holes have appeared in it.

Harvard's sloth on the issue, its inability to respond promptly to complaints, demonstrates its lack of concern for a clearly pressing matter. It's time for Harvard to show the care its employees deserve.

Already, much has been lost. Now, Harvard Dining Services and the Office of Human Resources should make it a priority to sift through the Union situation. Harvard must address any charges promptly, and most importantly, make any changes necessary to ensure that no part of Harvard is a bad place to work.