WHEN THE Hemisphere Broadcasting Corporation took over WBCN-FM on February 16, it stated that its purpose was to "create the best progressive radio in the country." By firing 18 of the station's 38 employees the day it assumed control, it has moved in a direction opposite to that objective.

A statement released this week by Michael Weiner, head of the new management, says Hemisphere is "not legally bound by any agreement between the station's union and WBCN's previous management." It concludes by calling for a halt to the union's 18-day strike and an "atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect."

It is difficult to expect WBCN employees to end the strike and return to work in an atmosphere of understanding and respect until the new management recognizes their union and concerns itself with the welfare of the station's employees.

Weiner and the striking employees have been discussing the strike since Saturday, but Hemisphere clearly has no intention of giving ground because it still has not recognized the union. The new management has met with widespread resistance not only from the union, but also from advertisers and WBCN's listeners. Ironically enough, after firing the workers, Weiner said, "Unnecessary tension and animosity serve no purpose." In his disregard for of loyalty to the union, Weiner himself created the tension and animosity.

Whether Hemisphere is legally bound by the present contract or not, it has an ethical responsibility to bargain with its staff.

As Daniel I. Schecter, a former Nieman Fellow and former WBCN news director, says, "The new management is hiding behind narrow legalisms to evade their moral responsibility."

Hemisphere should recognize the union and negotiate a reasonable settlement.