The Waitresses

WAITRESSES AT Cronin's restaurant on strike now for nearly two months. mes D. Cronin, owner of the as recognized the Harvard Square n (HSWU) as the legal bargaining waitresses, he has consistently gness to negotiate with the union. t underway in Middlesex Superior ek is the latest extension of his obin is again asking for a court in ohibit the waitresses from picketing his restaurant. He contends that eting has included threats to his and customers and that the waitress's olate the Economic Stabilization Act. tresses deny all Cronin's charges of nd threatening picketing. So far Cronin sented only one witness, Peggy Hyduck f the waitresses still working at Cronin's) allegedly received telephone threats. The sses say they never called Hyduck, and Cronin has not come up with a single witness to attest to any actual physical threats made during picketing.

Neither does Cronin have any basis to claim that the waitresses' demands are illegal. Decent wages, working conditions, and health care insurance, are not unlawful demands--they are rights to which all workers are entitled.

The Crimson reaffirms its support of HSWU in the current trial and in their larger effort to organize waitresses in Harvard Square. Instead of repeating his old injunction strategy, Cronin should agree to begin new negotiations.

According to Patty Welch, one of the waitresses, the union sent Cronin a letter last week stating that the strike has gone a long time, that misunderstanding should be put aside, and new negotiations begun. Cronin has not acknowledged this letter or given any indication that he is willing to negotiate. He should do so now.

A state mediator has been appointed to facilitate negotiations and HSWU has indicated their willingness to begin new talks. A prolonged continuation of the strike can only damage both sides; it is time for both sides to meet again and begin dealing realistically with the HSWU demands.

Neither does Cronin have any basis to claim that the waitresses' demands are illegal. Decent wages, working conditions, and health care insurance, are not unlawful demands--they are rights to which all workers are entitled.

The Crimson reaffirms its support of HSWU in the current trial and in their larger effort to organize waitresses in Harvard Square. Instead of repeating his old injunction strategy, Cronin should agree to begin new negotiations.

According to Patty Welch, one of the waitresses, the union sent Cronin a letter last week stating that the strike has gone a long time, that misunderstanding should be put aside, and new negotiations begun. Cronin has not acknowledged this letter or given any indication that he is willing to negotiate. He should do so now.

A state mediator has been appointed to facilitate negotiations and HSWU has indicated their willingness to begin new talks. A prolonged continuation of the strike can only damage both sides; it is time for both sides to meet again and begin dealing realistically with the HSWU demands.