University officials, Smith and Lee all strongly denied the unfair labor practice charges this week, saying they only warned Gardin and Bonislawski of leaving work to attend union-related meetings without obtaining the permission of their supervisors--as the union's contract stipulates.

Smith termed the charge against him "outrageous, ludicrous," adding, "It's not my style to threaten anybody." Referring to Gardin's allegation, Lee said this week, "Those things would never have been said by me." One University source said Gardin was called before Lee because he had had a slew of unauthorized absences from work, and "a checkered work history."

Shortly after the union filed its suit with the NLRB, the Board issued a complaint against Harvard, which does not constitute a finding of guilt, but increases the possibility that litigation would be required to resolve the dispute. The NLRB issued the complaint without speaking to Crockett. Powers said, "The NLRB thought I didn't care whether it issued a complaint. It was just a misunderstanding--the NLRB agent misinterpreted a remark of mine."

The NLRB, Powers added, recently reopened its investigation because the agents "realized they hadn't done a thorough job." Powers also said the NLRB issued its complaint only after HUERA amended its original suit. NLRB spokesmen decline comment while the investigation is in progress.

Bonislawski this week charged that the University has obstructed union business. "Harvard agreed it would allow union representatives time to do union business--but it hasn't abided by the settlement," she said, adding, "If the University doesn't allow you the reasonable chance to attend disciplinary hearings as a union rep, you cannot function as a union."

Powers said the University only wants to ensure that union representatives receive permission from supervisors to go to meetings during working hours. Bonislawski responded by saying, "If you have a supervisor who doesn't let you off duty, then a union representative can't do the job. It's a typical union-busting tactic."

Wednesday evening, the union's executive board tentatively reinstated Crockett as president, but voted to deprive the president of exclusive signing rights for union documents, because, one union source said, he "had acted irresponsibly." Crockett reportedly objected to the measure, but from now on, someone besides the union's president will have to sign all official HUERA documents.

HUERA has had a history of being a fragmented union, and some union sources this week said they fear the University will try to capitalize on the latest internal struggle. "It weakens our position, and Harvard knows that," one source said.

Another union source said that because Crockett had sided with the University on the unfair labor practice charge, workers would now be afraid to file grievances. "How can an employee hope to win a case against the University when he has no support from the presidency?" the source asked.

Meanwhile, as union officials trade charges and brand each other as "liars," the University has taken a casual stance toward the unfair labor practice. "It's a crazy position--the union hasn't got a shot at winning, so it's not a very big deal," one Harvard official said.

Gardin, who worked for Crockett in the union's last election held in February of 1979, recalls a conversation he had with Crockett this spring. "We were talking about the University, and Charlie said to me, 'Harvard is too tough--you can't fight 'em, you've gotta join 'em.' I said, 'Why don't you resign then?' He said, 'You just don't understand.'"