Sins of Omission

HARVARD'S SINS are ones of commission--interference with the right of its workers to unionize. The University has indeed lied, manipulated, and impeded a legal process of forming a collective bargaining unit. and in doing this it has cynically used any loophole or repulsive bedfellow in Washington it could find.

But the majority opinion fails to mention one face that makes these sins worse that unionization is a positive step for Harvard employees. If the University can oppose a unionization drive and lie to the public about its actions, what kind of integrity does it have in dealing with single employees? The only way to counterbalance this is through a legally recognized union, which will come about through a vote of all University employees in the future. And even though a unionization drive will now be harder for the simple logistical reason that all employees will be organizing themselves instead of just those at the Medical Area, the new union will be just that much stronger. Though tougher in the short run, the long-run results will be worth it. And so the Medical Area Employees, whose hopes for a quick election and recognition were dashed, should take solace in the fact that an all encompassing bargaining unit will provide strength and support. Nor should they overlook the fact that organizing at the main campus too-as the recent events at Yale demonstrate-can mobilize overwhelming support from students.