The Food Service Workers Union--which represents Harvard's 500 dining hall employees--is preparing for a confrontation with the University as its contract negotiations get underway.

"If the fight's there we're ready to take it on. If it's not there, we're ready to sign a good contract," says Domenic M. Bozzotto, business manager of the union.

And although the Graphics Communication International Union--which includes most of the staff of the Office of the University Publisher--has already completed negotiations, some members are not with happy with the result.

Despite the construction and renovations agreement, union official say the University still lacks a firm policy against contracting work to non-unionized companies. Most labor officials say it is too early to tell how seriously the Rudenstine administration takes its commitment to social responsibility.

In the meantime, the unions are wasting no time in demonstrating their resolve.

When union leaders are asked about what they accomplished this year, most use the word `unity' in their response.

"We're trying to get some unity amongst ourselves," says Chuck J. Monahan, a representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The new coalition sponsored several rallies and a petition drive to show Harvard that its work force has a common purpose and the determination to follow through with its demands.

"What we're saying for forming a coalition is...if you can't listen to 35 of us individually, you can certainly listen to 6000 to 7000 of us together," says Williams, the HUCTW leader.

If the University administration considers union unity as a threat, then the coalition has achieved one of its major goals, she says.

Zeckhauser, vice president for administration, denies that the University feels threatened.

In fact, she says, most people in the administration think the union coalition may facilitate negotiations in the future.

"I think the open communication among unions is consistent with our own effort to encourage collaboration [within the administration]," Zeckhauser says. "Those efforts mirror some of the joint planning efforts that President Rudenstine has initiated."

Discordant Unity?

But even as the unions join forces to face off with the administration, the fledgling "unity" movement is showing signs of a possible fracture.