Most Harvard Workers Return to Their Jobs

Most of the 350 striking Harvard employees returned to work yesterday, although many said they would continue to engage in strike activities.

In a meeting last night at Memorial Church, about 60 striking employees approved two demands:

that striking employees receive full pay, not subtracted from vacation time or vacation pay;

that if workers are intimidated or lose pay, employees collectively demand a redress of specific grievances from the head of the personnel department.

"Most people are going back to work because they feel they can be more constructive that way," Jane Struss, chairman of last night's meeting and an employee in Boylston Hall's Ticknor Library, said yesterday. "Since most people had already decided to go back to work, it didn't seem important to discuss it at the meeting."

Aid the Strike

Miss Struss said that many employees, while at work, will use office facilities and talk to fellow workers to continue aiding in the strike effort. The Harvard Striking Employees Group headquarters will continue to operate at the Phillips Brooks House.

A group of employees voted last Tuesday to strike for the remainder of the week and to consider future action at the start of this week.

At last night's meeting, employees blamed University intimidation and the insensitivity of some striking workers for the small support of the strike among Harvard workers.

No-Strike Clauses

Buildings and Grounds and Ktchen Service workers have no-strike clauses in their contracts, and some of these employees said that their co-workers were afraid to join the strike.

Other speakers said that the failure to discuss specific actions and issues at past meetings had alienated many workers.