About The union times. (New Haven, Conn.) 1941-1948
New Haven, Conn. (1941-1948)

The Union Times

The Union Times 1941-1948, was published by the New Haven Central Labor Council. Throughout its publication, this weekly newspaper was billed as "Labor's own paper," and "Official publication of the New Haven Central Labor Council. Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor." Starting on September 16, 1944, the Times was also billed as an "official publication of the Connecticut State Building Trades and Construction Council."

A list of who had editorial control and ownership appeared on page 4 of the May 10, 1941 issue. It read:

As the official publication of the New Haven Central Labor Council, the editorial and advertising policy of The Union Times are under the supervision of the officers and Executive Board of the Council.  They are Harold V. Feinmark, President; Joseph T. Rourke, Vice-President; Solomon Alperovitz, Recording Secretary; August F. Striby, Financial Secretary; Machinists' Union, No. 420, Walter E. Davis and Alfred E. Murphy; Brewer Workers Union, Robert Enright; Granite Cutters Union, Alexander Innis; Carpenters Union, George H. Riehm; Barbers Union, Frank Spadola; Painters Union, William Zuckerman. This newspaper is owned by The Union Times, Inc., whose officers are Harold V. Feinmark, President; Joseph T. Rourke, Vice-President; Leonard Farmer, Treasurer, and Nathan Sherman, Secretary. Nathan Sherman, Editor.

In later years, additional unions and officers were added and published in the newspaper.

This newspaper covered labor issues, union movements, and legislative session news, such as state and congressional acts affecting labor. It featured an editorial column called "As I See It" in each issue along with labor cartoons and advertisements. Other special columns included "With A.F.L. Locals Around the Country," which included short blurbs highlighting issues from major cities in the U.S.

The first issue available, May 10, 1941, and subsequent issues talked about labor asking for more public housing. The March 6, 1946, issue featured the fight for rent control. There was a shift from the June 7, 1941 editorial on war and peace where the New Haven Central Labor Council was not in favor of U.S. involvement in the war in Europe, to the December 13, 1941, issue following the Pearl Harbor attack where the Council "unanimously voted to support President Roosevelt's foreign policy," and were "100 percent behind the President and Congress in declaring a state of war with Japan." The September 5, 1942, Labor Day edition headline was "War is Theme of Conn. A.F.L. Convention."

The April 21, 1945 issue was dedicated as a tribute to President Roosevelt who died April 12. The issue included articles titled "Labor Backs Truman; Grieves for F.D.R.," "Why Labor Loved Pres. Roosevelt," "Life of Roosevelt Was Continuous Battle for Rights of Common Man," and "We Have Lost Our Greatest Friend."

In the last issue, July 31, 1948, the "Notice to Subscribers" from Editor Nathan Sherman said that the paper and staff would take a long-needed month's vacation and the next issue would be a special Labor Day edition. No issue appears to have been published after this issue.

Provided by: Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT