Dartmouth College helped energize activists for liberal causes, thanks to a lingering labor dispute right next to the site of tonight's Democratic presidential debate. 

   More than 100 union members from Northern New England and allied activists rallied in front of the college-owned, Hanover Inn where union workers are fighting over the treatment of tipped wages.

   The college is excluding tips as wages in calculating sick, vacation, disability and retirement benefits 18 bartenders and waitresses who the Service Employees International Union has represented for three years.

    This means all those benefits are based on $3.50 for those waiting tables and $8.50 for those serving drinks at the bar.

    ``A lot of these people are getting benefits based on sub-minimum wage and we don't think that's fair,'' said Jay Ward, political director for the SEIU-affiliated State Employees Association.

    The union is asking that for these benefits the wages of all be counted at $13.99 which is the lowest hourly, full-time wage paid to college employees.

    Democratic contender John Edwards offered support as someone who prior to becoming a 2008 candidate criss-crossed the country to push for minimum wage increases in several states including New Hampshire.

   Ward said talks on this issue have been going on for 18 months and ``we're close'' to an agreement. The current contract expires next June 30.

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