Sources close to Phillips Brooks House have accused Assistant Dean for Public Service Judith H. Kidd of planning to fire a member of that organization's staff because of his leadership role in Harvard's biggest union.

A source close to the situation said Kidd told him that Thomas E. Canel '83, the bookkeeper and comptroller, will be laid off because his position is being restructured.

The source also said Canel is the secretary of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers and has been instrumental in union organizing and contract negotiations.

Those affiliated with Phillips Brooks House say that the University has had an anti-union perspective in their attempts over the last three years to gain control over the direction of public service at Harvard.

"The personnel department had it out for Tom because he is a leader in the union and he has pushed for better wages and better benefits for Harvard employees," said John B. King '95, the '94-'95 president of Phillips Brooks House Association.

In an telephone interview yesterday, Kidd denied ever telling anyone that Canel will be fired.

"That's not true in the slightest," she said. "No positions have been posted or laid off."

Phillips Brooks House Association, Inc. (PBHA) is a non-profit, student-run organization. Phillips Brooks House (PBH) is a department of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Kidd heads that department and all of its staff report to her.

Several PBHA student leaders said yesterday they are also angry that Kidd apparently decided to fire Canel without consulting them.

"What really bothers me about it is the whole process. She hasn't consulted students," said Harhie C. Han '97, the organization's vice president. "This is a very, very blatant disregard of all of her promises."

An Ongoing Conflict

Students involved in Phillips Brooks House yesterday accused Kidd of betraying the undergraduate organization.

"[Kidd] is making it difficult for us to believe that she's working for us in a good-faith effort," Han said.

Canel's possible firing is only the latest in a string of problems the students have had with Kidd since she took office.

"When Judith was brought in, a lot of folks around the University, including Harvard Magazine, said, 'She's not the best person, but we should give her a chance on the job,'" King said. "She's been given the chance, and she's not doing the right thing. She's doing exactly what they feared--the bidding of the administration."

Although all contracts are supposed to be negotiated by both PBHA and PBH, PBHA student leaders were not shown the contract for the Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program when it came up for renewal until the day before it was due, according to Han.