University, Guards To Meet Today

University officials and the union representing Harvard's security guards will continue their negotiation meetings, hashing out the details of the future talks in an informal meeting today, according to several sources with knowledge of the talks.

The union, which also represents parking guards and Fogg Museum attendants, voted in 1995 to separate from the Service Employees International Union and has been without a contract for three years. Meetings with University officials began anew late this fall and continued into December.

A source familiar with the negotiations said this week that union leaders and the University had agreed to discuss "separately the contract and [a proposed] buyout [for long-time guards.]"

But, according to that source, in late December, the University cancelled two scheduled meetings with the union.

Contacted yesterday, union chief Stephen G. McCombe would not comment on the state of the talks, saying both the union and the University had agreed to avoid publicly commenting on the discussions.

But University spokesperson Joe Wrinn said yesterday that the two meetings had been rescheduled. He also confirmed that the two sides will hold an informal meeting today.

A source close to the discussions who insisted on anonymity said today's meeting might not focus on core issues, because negotiators on both sides believe they are not ready for them yet.

The talks began Nov. 17. After a meeting in early December, both sides expressed optimism that a new contract would soon be agreed upon and other issues would be resolved quickly.

At the time, neither the union nor Harvard's chief labor negotiator Kim A. Roberts '78 would disclose anything specific.

Yesterday Roberts did not return repeated calls for comment.

Several guards interviewed by The Crimson since the last negotiation session in December fault union leader McCombe, who they said is "dragging his feet" and not being assertive enough with the University.

But other guards expressed support for McCombe and the union.

A guard interviewed Wednesday night on the condition of anonymity said he thinks "[McCombe] has done a pretty good job considering.

the University has put up a lot of roadblocks to this union becoming a reality."

The guard said those security personnel who are agitating for a buyout and who complain about McCombe "have an ax to grind" with the union.

Another guard with whom The Crimson spoke said the University's policies towards the guards are contributing to an upswing in health problems. He said the policies are creating a stressful work environment.

"We've got five guards in the hospital," he said.

The Crimson was able to confirm that guard Charles McElroy suffered a heart attack over the New Year's break and is recovering. Another guard from Lowell House is in the hospital receiving treatment for an ulcer.

Three guards died in 1998: two suffered heart attacks and one committed suicide

Several guards interviewed by The Crimson since the last negotiation session in December fault union leader McCombe, who they said is "dragging his feet" and not being assertive enough with the University.

But other guards expressed support for McCombe and the union.

A guard interviewed Wednesday night on the condition of anonymity said he thinks "[McCombe] has done a pretty good job considering.

the University has put up a lot of roadblocks to this union becoming a reality."

The guard said those security personnel who are agitating for a buyout and who complain about McCombe "have an ax to grind" with the union.

Another guard with whom The Crimson spoke said the University's policies towards the guards are contributing to an upswing in health problems. He said the policies are creating a stressful work environment.

"We've got five guards in the hospital," he said.

The Crimson was able to confirm that guard Charles McElroy suffered a heart attack over the New Year's break and is recovering. Another guard from Lowell House is in the hospital receiving treatment for an ulcer.

Three guards died in 1998: two suffered heart attacks and one committed suicide