Students Mobilize in Support Of Striking Printers' Unions

The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the New American Movement (NAM) Monday night called on all members of the Harvard community to support the 32 lithographers and bookbinders of the Graphic Arts International Union in their strike against the Harvard University Printing Office.

The strike, now entering its second week, has "no end in sight," John B. Butler, Harvard's director of personnel, said yesterday. The principal area of disagreement between the union and the University involves a salary, he said.

The two organizations will be soliciting money from students at tables in the House dining halls this week to pay for advertisements publicizing the workers' situation. The groups will ask students to join with the strikers in manning the picket lines.

SDS and NAM are also attempting to obtain the backing of the faculty and other University organizations for the strikers. Richard Lewontin, professor in Population Genetics, has gone on record as supporting the strikers. "They deserve the money," he said last night.

The present strike is reminiscent of the printers' walkout seven years ago, which was the first employee strike in Harvard history. During that strike, printers credited widespread student and faculty picketing in their behalf with helping them win their demands.

Luther Regan, a member of NAM, said yesterday, "Other Harvard unions are watching the printers' situation very closely. If the printers succeed, the other unions hope that they can get what they want." He emphasized however that the other unions have no strike plans of their own at this time.

Friday Rally

SDS and NAM have scheduled a rally to be held at noon Friday in Holyoke Center. SDS chapters from Northeastern and Boston University will also turn out in behalf of the strikers, Regan said. The groups will hold a preliminary organizational meeting in Lehman Hall today.