The union times., 1944-11-11

BEST PROTECTION'
 ''It is of the greatest importance that the State Council immediately compile an up-to-date and accurate list of rates," President Barry said. "Some trades, which are getting $1.5O an hour, are listed on the Labor Department records as get ting $l.37. The best protection ev- cry building trades mechanic in Connecticut can have, to make sure that he is properly paid, is for the secretaries of all locals to send in their scale at once.'
 The number of members each local has is needed SO that in setting the wage scale for Federal or state con- struction job, a determination can be made as to the possible number of men who might be available. All of this in- formation should be sent to James O'Kane, secretary-treasurer of the State Building Trades Council, 244 Stratfeld Road, Bridgeport.
 Another direct contribution by the State Council to the welfare of the building trades was shown when the special committee appointed in October to confer with the State Wage Board, made its report.
 The Council had asked for con- ference with the State Wage Board to rectify the present situation under which, when a large construction job in rural districts or small towns is given out by the state, the local rate of the various building trades is used, despite the fact that on many occas- ions, the preponderance of mechanics comes from other parts of the state, and may have higher prevailing rate.
 The State Council committee which met with the State Wage Board, which sets the rates on state construction, consisted of George Sabo, Waterbury Electri- clans; George Joslyn, Meriden Sheet Metal Workers; President Barry, and Secretary Treasurer O'Kane. The Board members pres ent were Sen. William A. Scott, president of the Hartford Central Labor Union, who represents labor on the board; and Raymond H. Wilcox of Middletown, who repre- sents the public. Louis C. DeFeIice, of New Haven, who represents the contractors, was absent. Also pres- ent was John J. Egan, secretary treasurer of the Conn. Federation of Labor.
 The meeting sUas held in Middle tOsOn, and after q thorough discus sion Of the issue presented by the State Building Trades Council, the Wage BOdrd agreed th0t in the fu- ture, before setting sOage rates On state construction scOrk, the State Building Trades Council sUOuld be consulted, and giUen euery OppOr- tUTtity to present its recommends fiOns.
 "This is 0n important decision for the Connecticut Building Trades," fhe committee reported, ''and # tt is to be properly carried Ouf to the adUantage of QUIT mem bers, tt is innperative that ,Oe have the sOage scaIe of euery building trades local in the st0te."
 With the state convention of the building trades to be held in New Haven on January 21, the committee on bylaws and constitution reported that it would present a draft of the new constitution at the next meeting of the executive Board, to be held on Dec. 6. The board will act on the com mittee's recommendations, and present the final draft to the convention. The Jan. 21 convention, it is expected, will be one of the best attended building trades meetings in the states history. The constitution committee consists of Thomas Yoczik, Norwalk Building Trades Council; George Lockwood, Stamford Building Trades; and AL bert E. Green, Greenwich Building Trades.
 In addition to those previously men, toned, the meeting was attended by Dennis P. Byrnes, Bridgeport Build ing Trades; James J. Brennan, Ele- vator Constructors, New Haven i; Nicholas Simeone, Hartford Laborers :; John Gaspic, Asbestos Workers, Meri- den; and Paul Willnauer, Hartford Steamhtters.