Several Harvard graduate schools, including the Harvard Law School and the Harvard Medical School, have replaced the Harvard guards with privately employed security agents.

McCombe has come under fire from many of the veteran guards in his force, who seek to have their contract bought out and want to retire.

For his part, McCombe has claimed in numerous interviews with The Crimson that the University has not negotiated in good faith.

But Fritz alleges that McCombe is to blame for the union woes.

"I accuse Steve McCombe of abuse of authority," he said. "We at the museum feel so alienated by our own union. We didn't feel like we had a voice," Fritz said.

A federal mediator is now overseeing the negotiations between the University and the union. Although the two sides have met in recent weeks, little progress has been made, according to a source with knowledge of the talks.

The union election--which according to union bylaws should be held in June--has not yet been scheduled.

Coincidentally, the NLRB will wrap up its investigation by the beginning of that month, according to spokesperson Lisa Fierce.