FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2005
Bob Proto 203 – 623-6847
John Canham-Clyne 203 – 668-2064
Proto to Remain New Haven Federation President
Hotel, Garment Workers Union Leaves National AFL-CIO
“We’re Moving Forward for Working People”
Statement of Bob Proto, President Greater New Haven Central Labor Council
On Tuesday, September 13, 2005, the General Executive Board of UNITE HERE, the parent union of Locals 34, 35, 217 and GESO, the Graduate Employees and Students Organization, voted to disaffiliate from the AFL-CIO.
As President of UNITE HERE Local 35, I support our national leadership’s painful, but necessary decision. The pace of change in our national labor movement has not kept up with the needs of working people. Without a vibrant labor movement that puts every last drop of strength into organizing the unorganized and bargaining high standards for members, working people face a future of poverty and economic injustice.
Here in New Haven, we’re building just that kind of labor movement. By working together, all the locals of the Greater New Haven Central Labor Council, some still affiliated with the AFL-CIO, others not, and our allies in New Haven’s growing social justice movement, are creating a community where ordinary working people have hope for a decent life, and participate in civic life by registering, voting and volunteering in campaigns.
This work must not stop. In the resolution passed this week, the UNITE HERE General Executive Board authorized “our local unions and joint boards to continue to offer to participate in AFL-CIO state federations and central labor councils and constituency groups” where appropriate. The UNITE HERE locals in the Greater New Haven area are fully committed to continue the work of building power for working people in the city.
Accordingly, I will serve out the rest of my term as President of the Greater New Haven Central Labor Council.