Union workers are on strike at the Harvard Club of New York City to protest possible changes in wages, vacation time and benefits.

Since April 3, 130 club employees, mostly members of Hotel, Restaurant and Club Employees Union Local 6, have been picketing twenty-four hours a day in front of the club, located on West 44th Street in New York City.

The proposed changes would force club employees to pay for health care, which is now fully covered in their contracts. Union members say they can't afford such payments with their present low wages.

In a press release, the club attributed the proposed contract changes to "flat" revenues and costs which have "skyrocketed."

But union officials said the club is experiencing no financial difficulties.

"An independent audit conducted by N.R. Wieserand company shows that although expenses are up,so are revenues.... They're renovating the Club aswe speak," said John F. Turchiano, a spokespersonfor the union.

As a result of the strike--which is the firstin the club's history--meals are being servedbuffet style and one dining room has been closed,according to an article in the New York Observer.The Club has hired 30 temporary non-union workersto replace those on strike.

The Union has been conducting open mediationson behalf of the striking workers, but they arenow at a relative standstill. Club management saidin a press release that the union has refused toaccept a mediator.

The Union's contract with the Harvard Clubexpired at the end of December 1993.

Foremost among the proposed changes is the clubmanagement's call for full-time employees to pay15 percent of their medical coverage, whilepart-time employees receive no coverage unlessthey work 1000 hours a year, according toTurchiano. All workers received full coverageunder the previous contract.

In the statement, Club management contendedthat Local 6 workers must bear a portion of thecost of their insurance, as the Club's non-unionemployees do.

The union maintains that workers cannot affordsuch co-payments.

"These are not people making high wages," saidTurchiano. "The average wage is $400 a week, andit's hard work."

The workers are also protesting layoffs whichhave resulted in more work for employees atconstant salaries. The club press release said thelay-off were necessary for "cost savings and moreefficient operations."

"They are demanding that the duties of bus-boysand waiters be combined," said Turchiano. "Now awaiter has to provide the service expected andtake back and sort 40 dishes so the club can save?You've got to be kidding."

The union said club management also plans to doaway with the traditional eighteen-month payincreases of five percent, which were provided forin the last contract.