Dining Workers Sign Contract

Friendly discussion marked this month's negotiations between the University and food services employees, which yielded a new three-year contract, Harvard Dining Services director Michael P. Berry said yesterday.

"The negotiations weren't at all acrimonious," Berry said. "Both sides came to the table with legitimate needs, both came away with a win-win contract."

Under the new contract, Harvard's nearly 450 food service workers will receive a 15 cent per hour pay increase every six months, according to Berry.

Earlier this year, food service union members complained that Berry had increased the staff's workload and some-times failed to give breaks to dining service workers. Berry said these concerns were addressed in the negotiating process.

"It's important that they get their breaks," Berry said. "We did commit to it across the table, and I intend to keep to it."

Berry said negotiations also focused on the status of "casual employees," workers who are not hired on a permanent basis. Under the new contract, these workers may gain union status if they meet certain criteria, Berry said.

Officials of the Harvard Union of Clerical and technical Workers said yesterday that the dining hall workers' contract settlement will not represent a break in union solidarity that could undermine their current negotiations. The two unions have dif-