The union times., 1945-02-10
City Organizations Listed As Bulwark
(The tOIIO,Uing report sOGs presented Sunday at the annual cOnUentiOn Of State Building Trades COuncil.)
Bv Michael !. Barry

President, Conn. State Building Trades and Construction Council
 The last six months have been very important ones in the history of the building trades of Connec- ticut, and thia year will decide the fate of our organization. l say this bluntly and to the point, because 1t is necessary that today we take ad- vantage of the fine progress made in the last six months, and estab- fish once and for all State Build ing Trades Council which will con- tinue to function and represent the interests of the trades.
 It was only few months ago that we realized that we were not using our joint strength, without which labor cannot make progress. As you know, we called an emergency state wide meeting, held right here in this building. We set up an organization, elected officers, and told them to go to work
 I can report that they went to work. First of all, we insisted on regular meetings of the executive board, and they have been held faith fully, with the members coming from all sections of the state to attend. We have always had at least S5 per cent of the membership of the board pres ent, and 1 say that's record.
 In the short time since reOrgan- izing, we have won full recognition from the State Wage Board, and have a definite agreement with the Board that they will consult us on rates in awarding all contracts. This is an accomplishment, one which must be followed up by establishing an official list of rates. Our board has worked hard on establishing such a list, and our Secretary Treasurer, whose work in the reOr- ganization has brought tremendous results, reports that many locals still have to send in their rates. Re member, these must be the apprOv- ed rates.
 Federation Praised
 From the minutes you have re ceived, you know that we have a legislative program and a legisla- tive committee. The Council is working in close cooperation with the Connecticut Federation of La bOr. and we are grateful to Secre- y-Treasurer Feinmark for his assistance. The Building Trades are especially pleased with the ap. pointment of John Caspic, business agent of the Asbestos Workers, as assistant secretary of the Fedora ton. Both the Council and the State Federation will notify you of hearings to be held on legislation in which we are interested, and il will be your duty to attend.
 Since the Council was reorganized we have pushed the matter of prevail ing rates on all municipal construc- ton. A copy of a model ordinance was sent out in the minutes of the Secretary Treasurer, and was printed in our paper, THE UNION TIMES Several cities have adopted it, and there is no reason why all cities and towns should not have it. Before leave the question of legislation, lei me report to you that we have intro duced into the Legislature Safety Bill for the Connecticut Building Trades, which means that for the hrst time, the building trades have. theii own bill on this important subject
 The entire subject of postwar con Struction has been given much atten- ton by the officers, and the incoming board will have to make it the Mum Der One order of business.
 One of the best developments oi the last few months has been the fact that the city building trades councils have become active. This in turn has meant a stronger building trades movement, and we can become even stronger than we are today.
 'STireless Worker
 I want to thank our executive board, especially our Secretary Treasurer, Jim O'Kane, for theil fine work. Because of Jim's efforts the minutes of every meeting have been sent to the locals, and this ha. been important. He has been tire less worker for the cause.
 We are also grateful to Editor Nathan Sherman and The Union Times. for the fine publicity giver our organization. This publicity has made us known throughout tn. state, and has also been a means ot interesting the local unions in theil city and state Councils. We made { wise choice when we adoped Th. Union Times as our paper.
 The Connecticut Building Trade are in q fine position to go ahead Much Of the grounds0ork has beer done. In behalf Of the officers, suish fo thank you for your co operation, aud express the hop that from this conUentiOn toda. sOiH emerge strong, fighting or ganization ,Ohich soiEI be credi