HARTFORD (05/24/2006) -- The Hartford Courant reported today that UCC President and General Minister the Rev. John H. Thomas has written to Governor Jodi M. Rell to seek her assistance in resolving the labor dispute at the Adriaen's Landing development. "In the event of a just and significant labor dispute, which we currently find this to be," said the letter, "we will not violate boycotts or cross picket lines." This would force the 2007 General Synod of the United Church of Christ to meet at a site outside of Connecticut.
Conference Minister Davida Foy Crabtree, who successfully advocated for the choice of Hartford for the 2007 Synod, said, "The loss of the 50th Anniversary General Synod to the Connecticut Conference would be a deep disappointment to our members and leaders.
"It would be an even bigger blow to the revitalization of Hartford since tourism officials are estimating a minimum economic impact of $10 million. Thousands of businesses stand to lose from this terrible situation. I believe that we need to call upon the Governor to do everything possible to get this resolved immediately so that General Synod can come to Connecticut. The issue for us is both the concern for freedom of choice and for justice for the employees at the Marriott and the Convention Center, but also the simple fact that if there is labor unrest manifested in boycott or picket lines, the great majority of our delegates and visitors will not attend, and it is likely that none of our keynoters would either.
"We have worked long and hard to host this General Synod with warm hospitality, and we still hope that may be possible. It will require intervention by leaders at the highest levels of government to break the impasse."
The labor dispute is around the conditions under which union organizers will be permitted to work. Labor advocates seek an agreement of "labor peace" with the Waterford Group, the site developer, which would allow employees to organize without interference from management. In return, the employees would agree not to strike, picket, or boycott. Labor peace agreements are more comprehensive than current federal requirements administered by the National Labor Relations Board.
To date, the Waterford Group has refused to commit to a labor peace agreement, despite the City of Hartford's assertion that it must do so as a condition of city loans and tax incentives granted to the developer. The Courant reports that the city has initiated legal action to revoke the tax abatements.
The United Church of Christ's General Synod was among the first major events to be scheduled for the Connecticut Convention Center, and with 7000 expected visitors is one of the largest. The 2007 Synod marks the denomination's 50th anniversary as well, making a prospective change in venue doubly disappointing. The biennial national gathering of the church has never been held in Connecticut because of a lack of appropriate, affordable facilities.
Conference leaders are also considering alternatives for the Fall session of the Annual Meeting. Currently scheduled for the Convention Center in anticipation of the summer 2007 General Synod, it may need to be held elsewhere. The Conference Board of Directors voted in March that "the Conference and its meetings will not be held at venues where there is a just and significant labor dispute and the Board believes moving to another venue is an appropriate response."
In an April 20th letter to Connecticut's UCC clergy, Dr. Crabtree wrote, "The UCC has long been concerned with the rights and responsibilities of workers to negotiate for acceptable working conditions and for appropriate compensation through representatives of their choosing. In our commitment to advocate for justice, we have often stood in solidarity with those who do not have a seat at the table where decisions are made that determine their future."
