Two library employees who were laid off last month returned to campus last week to file formal grievances with Library and Technology Services, according to a library employee.Nancy Mazur and Patty Shesgreen, part-time staff members in the interlibrary loan department, were both dismissed Nov. 6 after their boss told them the library wanted to replace their positions with one full-time staff member.

The lay-offs prompted outrage among the library staff, and Mazur and Shesgreen met separately with Chief University Librarian Susan Wawrzaszek and representatives from their union last Tuesday and Wednesday, according to James Rosenbloom, one of the library's representatives to the union.

Wawrzaszek said she could not comment on the grievances or the lay-offs because "personnel actions are considered confidential," but Provost Marty Krauss last month denied allegations that the University had violated the Union's contract.

Still, nearly 25 colleagues signed a letter protesting what they called an "unfair and unethical dismissal," and two library employees, who were granted anonymity because they feared retaliation, told the Justice last month that many LTS employees were outraged by the unprecedented lay-offs. One said that part-time employees are now "petrified" for their job security.

Rosenbloom would not release the grievances, but did say they argued that proper lay-off procedures were not followed and asked for Mazur and Shesgreen to be reinstated.

Specifically, the grievances argue that it was improper to lay-off two part-time employees to create a full-time position so similar to the duties performed, Rosenbloom said.

While Rosenbloom acknowledged that it is unlikely the women would be reinstated, he speculated that LTS might come up with "any solution" to avoid legal arbitration. He would not discuss possible solutions.

"We want to work through this and re-establish the respect between union staff and LTS," Rosenbloom said. "There's no point in aggravating arguments."

The layoffs also came in the wake of two firings that sparked fierce criticism of the administration from both the fired employees and numerous supporters. Both of those firings have been described as excessively harsh, and both led to age-discrimination claims against the University. Administrators have refused to comment on those firings, leading to further criticism from their critics, who have pointed to a "corporatization of the University," referring to an increased focus on money and callous staff management.

Shesgreen's account of her dismissal seemed to fit the pattern of the firings.

"I felt pretty much like a criminal," she told the Justice last month. "We're not a corporation. They should have dignity and respect for their employees."

The agreement between Brandeis and the union for hourly-paid employees like Mazur and Shesgreen stipulates that LTS has up to five business days to consider the grievances and five business days after that to answer them in writing. A response had not yet been issued at press time.

If both sides cannot agree on a settlement, Associate Vice President for Human Resources Deb Gratto hears the grievance.

Finally, if a settlement still cannot be reached, the parties enter legal arbitration.

Gratto said she could not comment on personnel matters.

But Rosenbloom said he believed the administration would look to restore the good relations that he said have characterized the library during his 35 years there.

He also speculated that due to negative publicity surrounding the library's lay-offs and the fact that the union must renegotiate a contract with LTS soon-the current contract expires at the end of June-the University will come up with a solution to the satisfaction of all parties.