Waitresses Demand Union Recognition

Three waitresses had their working hours cut after they picketed the Hava Nagila restaurant last night for union recognition.

Members of the Harvard Square Waitresses Organizing Committee began picketing for local union recognition at the Boston restaurant on Monday.

Kate Hickler '75, a part time waitress at the Hava Nagila, said, Tuesday that waitresses want union recognition to bargain with the restaurant over a variety of issues.

"We want a written contract, a job description. We don't want to have to do anything the owner wants us to do for less than the minimum wage," Hickler said.

The organizing committee was first recognized in November 1972 after 4 days of picketing at Cronin's Restaurant in order to be able to bargain for better wages and working conditions.

"A union recognized in one shop is not necessarily recognized in another," said Cathy Allen, attorney for the waitresses' committee, who is working on both the Cronin and Hava Nagila cases.

One of the owners of the restaurant, Mr. Eli Cohen, has said that recognition will have to be through the State Labor Commission.

"He told us to get out our winter coats, because we'd be picketing all winter," Hickler said.