Support Harvard Workers

To the Editors of The Crimson:

As Harvard enters into contract negotiations with its food service employees, represented by Local 26, I write to express my hope that the University will emulate the positive labor relations attitude of its neighbor institution. MIT, Last year, MIT and Local 26 successfully negotiated a new contract Talks were not always easy, there had to be give and take, but in the end an agreement both sides would live with was reached without a strike.

Health benefits will be a major point in the negotiations. At present, a Harvard food service worker pays $28 a week for family Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage. An MIT food service worker pays $5.75 a week State employees--dishwashers, secretaries, state representatives--pay about $6 per week. It is time for Harvard to bring its health benefits in line with those of comparable area employers. Peter A. Vellucci State Representative