Eastern Connecticut news., 1946-09-14


 of labor legislation. Only two h. ternational Unions who have juris- diction over the various workers covered by this law have shown any interest whatsoever. They are the Laundry Workers International Union and the Building Service Employees International Union. The New England representatives of these Unions have decided to place Connecticut representatives in the field.
 The State, County and Municipal Employees have placed two organ izers in Connecticut and they are to be congratulated for their pro- gressive attitude in our organiza- tional campaign.
 In this field I am happy to re- port that the City of Bridgeport has adopted an ordinance whereby city employees may join organiza- tions of their own choosing. The Central Labor Union of Bridgeport is to be commended for their ef- forts in having this ordinance adopted. We are likewise grateful to the Mayor of Bridgeport for his cooperation in this matter. New Haven and Hartford already have passed similar ordinances.
 During the month of June Presi- dent Collins, three officers of the Fire Fighters Local in Waterbury, Leonard Bright and myself called upon Mayor John s. Monagan of Waterbury and Corporation Counsel Maurice Healy to discuss the possi- bility of the City of Waterbury adopting such an ordinance. Un- fortunately, the Corporation Coun- sel displayed a most unfriendly at- titude toward the idea of an ordin- ance that would encourage city em- ployees to join organizations of their own choosing.
 I sincerely hope that the Mayor of Waterbury will decide to CO., operate with the Connecticut Fed eration of Labor in it's request for l the passage of such an ordinance, otherwise we will be forced to take this issue to the voters of the City of Waterbury. Once we do we shall press the fight with the fullest vigor.
 Thousands of employees of cities and towns in the State of Connecti- cut are ready for organization, and we intend to drive hard toward the organization of these workers. We shall continue to work very closely with the officers of Council No. 16, State, County and Munich pal Employees, of the Fire Fighters, of the Teachers and other municipal unions.
 The Connecticut Federation of Labor has placed two organizers in the field organizing the workers of our State. Joseph J. Summa, mem- Der of the Barbers Union in Water bury, started to work for us on April 2. One week later Theodore De Paola. member of the United Auto Workers-A. F. of L. of Meri- den, went on the pay roll. These two men have done real good job and deserve commendation for their hard work for the State Fed eration of Labor. Unfortunately, Teddy De Paola was stricken with heart condition and has been bed ridden for almost two months. We hope he will be back with US very soon.
 We have worked very closely
 with the two organizations that are under the sponsorship of the United Mine Workers, namely Dis trict No. 50 and the United Con- struction Workers. Both of these organizations are credit to the la bor movement and we shall con- tinue to work closely with them. Upon the suggestion of President William Green, wrote to President John L. Lewis requesting that he submit to me list of all chartered Local Unions in Connecticut affili- ated with District No. 50 and the United Construction Workers. In