When the University threw a wrench this week into its negotiations with Local 26, which represents Harvard's dining hall workers, union members found themselves embroiled in some half-baked bargaining.

At Wednesday's opening session, the University rejected the union's demands and labelled them "unrealistic." The administration refused to forward a counterproposal, withdrawing its original offer of a three-year contract with successive 10-, 9-, 8-per-cent wage increases.

Despite the standstill, Edward W. Powers, associate general counsel for employee relations and chief negotiator for the University, said yesterday, "I'm completely confident we'll reach an agreement suitable to both sides."

In March, dining hall workers voted down the initial proposal. The Harvard University Employee Representatives Association, the Maintenance Trade Council, and the Harvard Police Association had all settled for the "10-9-8" pact, which did not include additional fringe benefits.

The dining hall workers called for a 20-per-cent raise, improved fringe beneifts, a cost-of-living increase, and additional holidays.

Powers, who establishes the University's strategy, said he has not decided on the University's next move.

Local 26 leaders and members this week accused the University of "strong-arming" and termed Powers' attitude "hostile."

"People are mad. They feel the increase in fuel prices and the cost of living very badly," Edward B. Childs, chief shop steward for Harvard's Local 26, said recently.

Powers responded to the charges by saying, "It's all part of the game called collective bargaining." But for Harvard dining hall workers, whose two-year contract expires June 19, the talks signify more than a game.