* graduated pay raises for waitresses who work six months or more

* sick pay and health insurance

* paid vacations for waitresses working one year or more

* overtime pay of time and a half for work beyond a 40-hour week

* exemption from paying for walk outs (at Cronin's if a customer walks out without paying the bill, the waitress is responsible)

* uniforms provided and paid for by Cronin

* 15 per cent of the bill added on for service instead of voluntary tipping.

* The waitresses' demands are not unreasonable and they are essential if waitressing is to become a dignified public service instead of just a menial, underpaid job reserved only for women who will take the job for short periods of time until they wear out and are replaced.

DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS Cronin insisted that he could not afford to pay the waitresses more Cronin refused all the above demands, agreeing only to end custodial duties for waitresses, such as cleaning the bathrooms, provide a place for the waitresses to sit down (although he refused to agree to scheduled breaks), and increase pay for seniority.

Although Cronin refused to agree to the most important demands of the waitresses, he never presented any counter-proposals himself, creating an impasse which ended negotiations in January. The waitresses decided to strike again on January 28.

Following the waitresses' decision to strike, Cronin asked for and received a temporary restraining order enjoining the waitresses and their agents from conducting obstructive picketing. Several waitresses and their supporters were charged with obstructive picketing under the injunction, but the charges were later dropped following a Superior Court decision not to renew Cronin's restraining order.

The only charge which remains is one contempt charge from the original hearing.

Since January 28, the waitresses and their supporters have been picketing Cronin's daily, except for a brief period when the restraining order was in effect. The waitresses estimate that they have cut down Cronin's business, at least at the restaurant (Cronin's is also a bar), by about 85 per cent. During the strike no new negotiations have been conducted.

Lawyers for the waitresses have approached Cronin several times to ask him to agree to arbitration and a mediator. He has refused such offers and has refused to comment about the situation.

According to Kathy Allen and Steven Dominic, lawyers for the waitresses, a state mediator has been appointed to discuss the case with both sides, but Cronin has so far refused to speak to the mediator.