Police Union Picket Possible

The Harvard policemen's union, which has been working without a contract since January 1, may begin a protest action if it is not satisfied with the results of today's bargaining session.

A source in the Police Association said yesterday that the union may eventually strike but immediate plans call only for a picket line outside Holyoke Center that would be manned by off-duty policemen.

Gorski Unaware

David L. Gorski, chief of University Police, said yesterday he was not aware of the contemplated union actions. He said that negotiations seem to be going "infinitely better" this year than last year although he was not sure whether union officials would agree.

Gorski said yesterday the University has made the union a salary offer but the union has not responded with its own demands.

The Police Association source said yesterday the offer represented a 5-percent-increase that was far from satisfactory. He added that the policemen also face a $28-a-month increase in Blue Cross rates.

A satisfactory salary and health plan are just two of the issues in the contract negotiations. Gorski said yesterday that there are several issues which need to be considered but he declined to comment on them.

There seems to be general resentment among older union members concerning department administrators who have been hired from outside in the last few years.

"We can't even get a promotion," the union source said yesterday. He said there was also great displeasure among many union members over the required training program they were put through.

He added that the recent anger over the police department's delay in installing snow tires on patrol cars is partly due to resentment of the new administrators.

Another officer, Charles Jenkins, said yesterday that the police are expected to do the job of a metropolitan department like Cambridge and should be paid like professional policemen. He pointed out that the Harvard policemen were put through a vigorous training program at the state police academy and that they must patrol Cambridge streets and deal with Cambridge residents a large part of the time.

Negotiations between the Policemen's Association and the Harvard Police Department have been in progress since December. Tomorrow's meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m.