A union handout included an array of financialinformation that described Harvard as "aprosperous and thriving university."

The union has been raising the stakes in thewar of words. "They are looking for a fight,"Rondeau said. "We'll make this a national fight."

Jaeger echoed Jackson, framing the contractquestion this way: "It is a moral question. It isa test of the University's character. It is astruggle for Harvard's soul and we intend to win."

Shattuck agreed that it is possible to framethe question of a pay raise in moral terms. "Ithink Harvard has an obligation to provide fairand progressive employment relationships," hesaid.

The moral argument is really at the core of theunion's plea for a wage increase--union membersearn less than others at Harvard, so they deservea bigger raise, because they need it more.

Jaegerput the argument in humorous terms atyesterday's rally. "Management negotiator DavidBray's increase, not his whole salary but just hisincrease from July 1, could buy lunch for ourwhole 3,600 person union," Jaeger said. "And itmight be a good idea, because we're running out ofmoney between paychecks."

But Shattuck had an economic response toJaeger's charge. The management spokesperson saidpay raises must be examined in the context of thesurrounding market.

Harvard's clerical and technical workers,Shattuck said, are paid "more than market wages,"while salaries for faculty and administrators are"somewhat below market.