The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-15

A state labor act similar to the
National Labor Relations Act Is
needed In Connecticut, Rudolph
Tata, business agent for the Truck
Drivers local an A. +. OF l.. affil-
late, declared In statement today
Mr.. Tata's union Is sponsoring the
strike which has been In progress
for the past several weeks at the
r. r. Worden & Sons, Inc, dairy.
No Power Vested
Mr., Tata urges that the state
board OF mediation and arbitration
which held q hearing on the Worden
strike Monday, be empowered to Or
der settlement of labor disputes.
The board at present can mediate
and recommend q settlement, but
has no authority to enforce a set
Element.
Legislation such as that recon-
mended by Mr.. Tata will be discus
sed at o special meeting Of the Gen.
trail Labor Union tomorrow night.
Pickets were on hand at the Cher
ny street dairy again today. Edward
McElligott, president Of Worden's,
has asserted that the men who went
on strike have been dismissed and
claims that a majority Of the dairy
employees were opposed to a renewal
Of o contract with the union. Fall
ure Of the firm to agree to O renewal
caused the strike.
Mr.. Tata's statement, In which he
denounces the dairy management
tor alleged intimidation follows:
The situation existing at the
Worden Dairy brings TO the atten-
ton OF all organized labor the
absolute need In the State Of
Connecticut for O Labor Act foun-
ded upon the principles OF the
National Labor Act 10 protect
those workers whose industry Is
not covered by the Wagner Act.
When coercion and intimidation
OF workers, violation OF mems
homes by emissaries OF Company
to persuade wives 10 insist upon
their husbands Withdrawing from
Unions upon threat Of unemploy-
ment, then I think the time Is
definitely at hand for the State
OF Connecticut to follow the ex-
ample OF her sister states and en-
AIT laws to protect collective bar
gaining right for citizens working
In industries not covered by the
National Labor Relations Act.
The Federal Government has
recognized this right and has APP
Filed II to industries under Its
l,.rlpdIotian and ihnao ptatnC mbn
have not followed the Federal
Governments example by protect
ing workers In industries under
their jurisdiction can be credited
or discredited depending upon
the point Of view for the outrages
10 personal liberties which pre-
coded the present situation at
Wordens Dairy.
Due 10 unceasing efforts on the
part OF Labor and the fair minded
employers, the State Of Connect
cut has created State Board OF
Mediation and Arbitration. This
body has done wonderful work In
adjusting labor disputes coming
under Its jurisdiction but unfor-
tunately they lack the power OF
compelling arbitration IN any
kabor dispute with the result that
even though they are convinced
beyond a doubt that one side or
the other Is wrong In q dispute,
they have not the power 10 en-
force any recommendation upon
either side.
1t Is time for organized labor,
regardless Of utilization, to band
together and appeal to the legis-
lative bodies OF Connecticut for
enactment of laws giving greater
power To our existing Mediation
Board and giving protection and
freedom of collective bargaining
to workers not covered by the N.
l.. r. A.
It Is not fair to create classes
among labor, giving groups work.