The overwhelming victory scored by Bozzotto showed that Powers' decision had little effect on the election's outcome. Clearly, Bozzotto's supporters conducted a strong opposition campaign.

For now, Powers says he has developed a working relationship with the new leaders. "It's just business as usual," he says, adding, "I haven't changed my approach, and I haven't had any serious difficulties."

Marie Kenney, new business agent for Local 26 who used to work in the Faculty Club dining facility, says Local 26 is pleased with the results it has had in grievance proceedings. "We've been very successful in settling grievances to our advantage," she says. "I don't think Powers can be intimidated by anybody, but he seems to be taking a new attitude toward a new administration."

Aided by an able chief shop steward, Jim Burke, and Edward B. Childs, former chief shop steward and an experienced organizer, Local 26 is already beginning to map out strategies for next fall's contract talks. "We're getting a negotiating team together and holding shop-steward seminars," says Bozzotto, who this summer won a vastly improved contract for workers at Boston's Harvard Club.

And at MIT, Local 26 workers have threatened to go on strike in a move that could throw student eating plans into disarray. The sticking issue in MIT negotiations is the length of the contract. Management has offered a three-year deal with an average 8.5-per-cent raise, while the union wants the contract proposal shortened to two years. The union's willingness to take the economic risk of striking will not go unnoticed by Harvard labor officials.

Local 26 has organized a trip to Washington for Solidarity Day, September 19. If there is any doubt about the University's unions having a New Mood, consider a warning sent out by Danny Clifford, Bozzotto's running mate and now secretary-treasurer of Local 26:

"We're going to show Harvard that we're not going to mess around. And you can tell Mr. Powers that we're going to stop getting stuck in bureaucratic mud."