The union times., 1947-11-01
A.F.L. Teachers Of Connecticut Hold Convention
Benefits, To Teachers And Cities, Of Union Mem
 bership Stressed

Miss Selma BOrchardt, vice-presi- dent of the American Federation of Teachers, declared that mo conn munity can afford to pay a teacher less than $3,OOO d year, in ad- dressing the Connecticut State Fed eration of Teachers convention at Camp School.
 Emphasizing the fight of the A. F. of T. to bring federal aid for services to every child, Miss Borchardt said, "The A. F. of T. is determined that all services needed by any child to help his social, physical and moral development should be available for every child. We have no sympathy with those who would deny essential services to any child because of the religious tenets of his parents.
 ssAt the same time we are op. posed to using federal money to pay salaries for teachers i'm the non- public schools. On this point, not a single faith disagrees with us.''
 She plead for relief for teachers from the tremendous amount of clerical work now put on them"
 Saying, T am my brothers keeper, that's why I am in the Union" she emphasized the moral obligation of every teacher to support the Marshall Plan and to fight. for "a living demo- cracy at home"
 STATE AFL SUPPORT
 Joseph M. Rourke, secretary-treas- urer of the Connecticut Federation of Labor, in pledging the support of the State Federation declared that teach CTS are in a position to make an inn portant contribution to workers edu- cation. At the same time, he said, teachers need labor's support and that they were not safe without it. He criticized the Connecticut State Teach CTS Association, unafiliated with labor, for expecting organized labor's assist ance in any difficulties, but the other times, Rourke said, the teachers asso- citation looks down upon labor.
 Rev. Liston Pope, Professor of Christian Ethics at the Yale Divinity School, Yale University, also ad- dressed the morning session.
 ELECT OFFICERS
 Following a luncheon at the Indian Hill Country Club, the following officers were reelected: Louis Green berg of Hamden, president; David Reed of East Haven, vice president Maskell- w. A. Hunt of Hamden executive secretary; and Miss Ruth Sugenheimer of New Haven, treas urer. Miss Eva Coates of New Britain was elected secretary.
 Raymond Millucci, president of the Rhode Island State Federation of Teachers, described the rapid growth of teacher organizations in Rhode Island. In his own city. Pautucket, every teacher is a mem Der of the A. F. of T. local. He quoted the school superintendent as saying that since the unioniza- ton of the teachers there have been improvements in teachers morale and in teaching. Salary increases for teachers in Pautucket last year was $l ,65O a year over what they had received previously.
 The convention authorized the ex- ecutive board to set up committees to study the problem of merit systems which are not based on training and experience, the problem of certifca- tion and to study legislation relating to tenure, state aid to education and teachers pensions.
 President Greenberg won approval for efforts to bring about a voice for teachers in the administration of schools.