“Any major employer would look at this and say there seems to be some merit in unifying all those forces,” says LaBua, adding that the employment of guards from different institutions means various logistical difficulties for the school. “We are in the process of looking to unify the existing security guard force.”

Such a security force would likely be composed wholly of guards from Harvard’s current subcontractor, Security Services Incorporated (SSI).

But according to LaBua, outsourcing will not mean lost jobs for security guards.

“No [in-house] security guard will be laid off,” he says.

But he did not address what would happen to the guards absent their positions. And Marilyn D. Touborg, director of communications for Harvard’s Office of Human Resources, declined to comment on whether security guards that opt to continue at the University will be forced to switch jobs.

But she says if they were to change jobs, there might be room for them as parking guards—a possibility that would keep them in their current union.

“One of the possibilities...is that there are some positions that will be available in that same union in the parking department,” she says. “And there may be the possibility of relocation there.”

As the negotiations—which began in April—continue, both sides say they remain optimistic that a solution can be reached.

Meagher also says he was surprised and pleased at the University’s recent overtures.

“Instead of looking at it in terms of what they can do, they’re looking at it in terms of what is the right thing to do,” he says.

Harvard Reacts

Concerns over the security guards’ fate prompted an outpouring of support from various constituents of the Harvard community.

Though most undergraduates have left for summer, the PSLM still planned and staged its Monday rally.

“We’re trying to show our support for Harvard’s security guards,” says PSLM member Daniel DiMaggio ’04. “We’re sick and tired of Harvard attacking its unions and its workforce.”

Members of other unions were also present at the rally, citing their solidarity with HUSPMGU.