H.U.E.R.A. Asks Boosts In All Employee Wages

Maids and janitors asked the University for a new wage boost in a surprise letter to Edward Reynolds, administrative vice-president, yesterday. Although their present contract does not run out until June, the employees want the hike now because of "increased taxes" and the rising cost of living.

The letter, reprinted on page two, was issued from the offices of Daniel G. Mulvihill, president of the University Employee's Representative Association.

Mulvihill said he has "always felt that any labor contract should be flexible and subject to change by negotiation, or even under present living conditions, by the University without negotiations."

Raise Would Increase Morale

He added that the University would increase the morale among the employees if it recognizes their present pressing financial condition; for nothing forces the spirit and morale downward faster than the lowering of wages by added taxes and continuous increase in prices for the simple necessities of life."

Mulvihill also disclosed yesterday that another reason for the move was to offset the pressure of the A.F.L. whose Building Service local in Boston has been trying to organize the maids and janitors here to overthrow Mulvihill since last February's H.U.E.R.A. elections.

The A.F.L. did manage to cause an inter-union split last spring by charging that Mulvihill had won the election illegally. Although the charge was proven wrong, both the University engineers and the buildings and grounds workers split with H.U.E.R.A. and formed independent unions.