The union times. (New Haven, Conn.) 1941-1948, 1943-10-09
2OOMembersSignUp
Form LIST State Union

1llS pm GU NY Ndl1y olOoI'NNlo "
a 100 per cent unionization of the
Hartford Police, 200 of whom
have signed applications to form
the first ALL. Police local in
the state, leaders of the State,
County and Municipal Employees
this week mapped plans to renew
their campaign to organize are
eligible governmental workers in
Conn.
Michael J. Hanrahan, president of
Council 10, S. c. & M. E., comment
ing on the Hartford policemen's move
to become union men, told THE UNION
TIMES that he expected to see the
police local, after it receives its char
ter, join the Council, which stands
willing to help and cooperate with the
all government employees.
Z The Council is in the process of
organizing State, County and Munich
pal Employees local in Bridgeport, New
Haven, Waterbury and other cities,
said Hanrahan He added:
''The splendid move for organ
ization by the Hartford policemen
is an inspiration to us, and to all
government employees
Acting on their own initiative, the
police sent committee of ten officers
and patrolmen to meet with Carl A.
Hubbell, ALL. organizer, and in
formed him that a majority of the
members of the Hartford force want
ed to join the American Federation
of Labor.
Hubbell. who is i'm Hartford to
organize the nOn-uniOn divisions of
the United Aircraft Corp. Handed
out ALL. applications and got in
touch with Frank Morris, secretary
of the Central Labor Union and an
executive member of State Council
16. In the meanwhile 200 of the
232 members of the city's regular
force signed and returned the cards
to Hubbell.
He turned the matter over to
Morris and Henry S. Couch, secre-
tary-treasurer and business agent of
the state Council, who proceeded with
the organization work this week.
The policemen follow the prece-
dent of Hartford firemen who re-
Gently formed the first Conn.
ALL. Firefghter union. They
stated that their interest in being
unionized was as old as that of the
firemen, and for the same purpose:
better working conditions and pay.
Mayor Dennis P. O'Connor gave full
blessing to the fremen when they
announced their attention of organic
ing. Subsequently the Mayor has gone
on record as favoring unionization of
all workers. Firemen said this week
that they could see no reason why
they, too, wouldn't have O'Connor'S
support. He was out of town when
the policemen made their first move
toward organizing.
The committee of ten notified Dep
uty Chief Michael J. Godfry of their
move. Godfry, acting head of the
police, accepted the notification with
out comment.
ALL. police unions are chartered
on a no-strike basis, said Frank Nor
ris, who further stated that there
are number of such locals through
out the country chartered by the A. F.
of S. C. & M. E.
He outlined the following advan-
tages of unionization for the police
to themselves and the public:
Cd Collective bargaining, CD
the opportunity to eliminate po-
itical favoritism, CD the chance
to have a voice i'm setting up a
real merit system and practical
civil service examinations, and
az closer contact and cooper
alton with the labor movement.
Very good relations exist now be-
tween the Hartford police and organ
lied labor of the city. The full sup
port of organized labor as citizens
and voters, is a good substitute for
the fright to strike in backing de-
mands for better pay and working
conditions, Morris said.