The union times., 1946-02-23
Extensive Work
 Done In Welfare

Through representation on the governing boards of social serv- ice agencies, organized labor in the Bridgeport area is taking an increasingly important part in planning the community health, welfare and recreation activities carried on by the Community Chest and War Fund, 1t was re- vealed in a year-end report of the labor participation committee made by Leo J. Dunn, labor re- lations secretary of the Bridge port Community Chest and War Fund.
 In carrying out its labor participa- ton program with social agencies, policies recommended by both the AZ. of L. Labor League of Human Rights and the Community Services Division of the CLIO. are being fol- lowed
 Bernard Serves
 Among A.F. of L. members serv- ing on the board of directors of the Community Chest and War Fund and representing organized labor's inter ests in the collection and distribution of War Fund money are Peter Benard, president of the Bridgeport Central Labor Union and Joseph P. Cleary, business representative of Teamsters' Local No. 101.
 Cleary is also a board member, with Timothy Collins, president of the Connecticut Federation of La bor, of the Catholic Charitable Bu- reau. one of the Red Feather Serv- ices of the Chest and War Fund, and Leo J. Dunn is working with the CasewOrk Committee of the Bridgeport Family Society.
 The progress report shows that six labor social work study groups were sponsored during the year by the La bor-P Participation Committee, with at tendance increasing at each meeting. Topics covered by the labor repre- sentatives included community plan ming, Council of Social Agencies work, the work of the four family service societies, community health services, union counseling, and recreation prob 1ems of the area.
 Discussion leaders at the meetings included officers of the Labor League of Human Rights, agency executives of the Bridgeport social service organ izations, and chairmen of the various divisions of the Council of Social Agencies.
 Institutes Active
 Two labor-social work institutes sponsored during the year by the La bor-P Participation Committeei have further increased the understanding which is developing between Bridge port labor and professional social service workers in agencies. Devoted to intensive study of Full Employ ment As a Community Responsibility, Unemployment Insurance, Recreation Facilities in the Bridgeport Area, and the Community Chest as Community Service, the meetings provided com mon meeting ground on which both groups arrived at better compre- hension of the problems facing them in the task of providing necessary health and welfare services for all the community.
 The report also shows that BridgepOrt's nationally known vet eran's information center has had the backing of representatives from 57 locals who are cOOpera- ting fully and who have partici- pated in the training sessions held at the center, received from the center the regular mailings of new information pertaining to veterans rights, and guided the Center's program on matters involving la- bor. This contact with the work of the Center has enabled labor representatives to keep their locals up to date on latest rulings affect ing veterans rights and has given local labor an inside view of the workings of this Community Chest Red Feather agency.
 To acquaint union stewards with social welfare and health services available to workers in the Bridge port Area through Community Chest aSCIlClcS dHu tO pIONluc Icduy IcI- erence guide to aid other union mem bers seeking advice on where to ob- tain help for children, families ir need, or marriage and budget prob lems, the labor participation commit tee published a Directory of Social and Health Services" Over three thousand copies of the booklet were sent to unions, shop stewards, busi- ness houses, and civic organizations
 Future Plans
 In looking toward activities for 1o46, MT. Dunn announced that the aims of the Labor Participation Commit tee in Bridgeport will be to gain more representation of union members on boards and budget committees, and, through the Labor Participation Com mittee, to take an increased interest in social planning within the commu- nity to improve housing, health and recreation facilities for all workers.