Conway, who is supposed to protect theattendants' interests in dealing with theUniversity, appears to have little understandingof the nature of working conditions at the Fogg.Conway, who attended Thursday's meeting, says shedoesn't even know if the agreement negotiated bythe union she works for permits the employment of$7.35 day guards.

Conway says the most drastic change in thecontract has been in the language used to describethe museum's security employees. The agreement,Conway says, changes the term for employees from"guards" to "attendants."

The change hasn't sunk in on all levels,however. Museum intraoffice memos written byTrifiro continue to refer to employees as"guards."

But a $7.35 day attendant who spoke on thecondition of anonymity says that, without anagreement, attendants are unable to protestTrifiro's unusually strict work requirements.

The attendant says almost all of Trifiro's newhires have been $7.35 day attendants who receivelimited benefits, no sick time and a lower payrate than full-time attendants.

Although the $7.35 day attendants are given aset schedule of 26 hours a week, Trifiro demandsthat they work up to--but not more than--40 hoursa week without receiving overtime.

Although day attendants are not allowed to workseven-day weeks, one attendant says he isroutinely forced to work nine consecutive days.The attendant also says Trifiro has manipulatedthe museum's work week to force them to work suchhours.

"You have a set schedule of 26 hours, but theyforce you to work more under threat of knockingyou down [to a lower pay rate]," the attendantsays.

And documents obtained by the Crimsonsubstantiate the attendant's account.

In a memorandum issued September 1, 1993,Trifiro warned the $7.35 day attendants that theywould receive written warnings each time theyrefused hours.

Trifiro said three warnings would result in"reclassification" or "resignation."

"The new $7.35 day guards are required, as partof their job description, to work extra hoursbeyond their normally scheduled shifts," Trifirowrote in the memo. "A $7.35 Day Guards (sic) mustbe able to work up to 40 hours per week as neededas a requirement of the position."

But attendants say Trifiro's calls to workextra hours can come at the last minute and cannotbe refused. At the same time, they say employeerequests to work overtime hours above the 40required of "part-timers" are never granted.

Dimitri Fane, a $7.35 day attendant who worksabout 40 hours a week, says he is afraid thatextra hours will interfere with his hobby ofplaying bass guitar for a local rock-and-rollband. He is careful to add, however, that noconflict has yet arisen.

"Part of the [job's] appeal is itsflexibility," Fane says.