Give Guards Security

The Security Guard Union filed a labor complaint against the University last week, nothing years of contract disputes during which time the University failed to offer an acceptable contract the union. The Harvard security guards--unique among guards because they are trained by and hired for the University, not by a large security guard conglomerate--feel ignored and slighted after years of service to the University.

They claim Harvard has refused to negotiate with them in good faith. Every offer made to the union by the University includes cutting the guards, especially since they say that their wages have not risen since 1995. The union has been in negotiations with the University since the organization was formed in 1996.

Throughout all these discussions, Harvard has yet to talk bluntly about their position on the guards--whether they will begin out-sourcing labor as the Business and Medical schools did in 1993, or whether they will provide the special training that would make the University guards a truly specialized force as was promised upon their inception.

The guards' complaints range from not being included in community policing, to being forced to work long shifts--the University has stretched the force thin by not hiring any new guards since 1990.

Whether or not the union's charges against the University are true--the National Labor Relations Board will decide that --the University owes an explanation. If the University is going to out-source guards in order to cut costs, it should at least be clear about its intentions instead of stringing the security guards along like jilted lovers.

If their intent really is to dissolve the Harvard guards, they should do so forthrightly and fairly--with a buy-out that recognizes the hard work and invaluable service the guards have provided.

Right now, the University's lack of action and its evasiveness on the subject only exacerbate a difficult situation. Students and guards deserve to know the University's plans for security on campus.