Unions Back A Challenger In Dwight

by Georgia Kral | July 27, 2007 8:58 AM | | Comments (8)

douglass.JPGFrank Douglass, pictured, doesn’t have the Democratic Town Committee endorsement, but he has another important group behind him as he runs full speed for the alderman in the Dwight neighborhood.

“Hey, it’s my turn,” Douglass said at a campaign event in his backyard Thursday evening. “It’s my time.”

Douglass is running against party-endorsed Gina Calder in the Sept. 11 Democratic primary for the chance to replace current Ward 2 Alderwoman Joyce Chen, who is not seeking re-election. Both candidates have youth issues at the top of their list. One difference: While Calder has the party establishment behind her, Douglass is supported by the other main organized political force in town, Yale’s unions. That difference could make an ongoing labor battle a key issue in the race.

Douglass, a native New Havener, is on the Executive Board of Local 35 . He has been a member of Yale’s service and maintenance union for 18 years. He said that Yale plays a big part in the city and that “doors need to open with new jobs.”

smith%20and%20proto.JPGBob Proto, president of Local 35, pictured with Local 34 President Laura Smith, said Frank is what the neighborhood needs.

“The nature of what Frank does at Yale, leading workers, educating workers, it’s a natural role for him to take, to represent the citizens,” Proto said.

When asked about the labor disputes involving the Yale-New Haven Hospital’s planned new cancer center, Douglass said he is “not gonna turn his back on 35.” The unions have been battling with the hospital over a blue-collar organizing drive at the hospital — a contentious effort to create the same kind of union at Yale-New Haven that Douglass belongs to at the university.

Calder came to New Haven to attend Yale as an undergraduate. She is currently a student at the Yale School of Public Health and interns at Yale New-Haven Hospital this summer. She ran against Joyce Chen two years ago.

She said the cancer center dispute took time and resources away from real issues. “It was making it difficult,” she said.

Calder said she gained committee support because of her proven track record. “I’ve been working already,” she said. She is the Youth Initiative Leader for the Dwight Management Team. (Click here and here for related stories.)

douglass%20and%20woman.JPG“I care about New Haven, I care about this neighborhood,” said Douglass, pictured with another neighborhood resident. “I don’t want to see it run down.”

Both Douglass and Calder praised each other as viable candidates. They pledged to work together, regardless of who wins the election.







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Comments

Posted by: Taxed To Death | July 27, 2007 10:15 AM

Wow...that's a hell of a choice. What does "concerned for our youth" mean? I'm concerned for our youth too.

I'm concerned that nobody is giving them a kick in the axx and teaching them on a daily basis to be responsible, productive citizens with a future. I'm concerned that we teach them that government is there to provide hand outs, not a hand up.

Regarding the union support and Douglas' statement about not turning his back on 35 -- well, no need to explain that. Pick your medicine.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | July 27, 2007 10:40 AM

Union Support I Would Not Trust Local 34 Under Bob
Proto. He Betray And Sold Out The People Candidate
Ned Lamont And He Supported The War Lord Puppet
Of King Bush Joe Lieberman.

Posted by: cedarhillresident [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 27, 2007 11:02 AM

Wow the one thing that impresses me about this ward is they are really stepping up to the plate!!! I wish some of the other wards had people challaging the the present people!! We need change and ward 2 is doing that!

Posted by: WEBbloger 1 | July 27, 2007 5:38 PM

DeStefano is supporting Calder, and the union and local 35 supported him... So what does that add up to ..DeStefano will take a win any way he can get it.
By the way candidates, we don't need any more social workers on the board, we now have a full house with the current 30. So how about someone for fiscal restraint and honesty in government. Try it, it might work.

Posted by: Ann | July 28, 2007 10:18 AM

Ahhh yet another politian in the Union's pocket. The funny thing is, Frank's own union dues are going to fund his own campaign. Their backing is what got the city of New Haven in the mess it's in today. Hey maybe the union can organize the illegal immigrants too?

Posted by: jacob | July 28, 2007 8:00 PM

She [Calder] said the cancer center dispute took time and resources away from real issues.

What are the right to organize, the right to medical treatment without fear of losing your house, and the availability of good, union jobs in New Haven if not "real issues?"

Posted by: Bill Saunders | July 28, 2007 10:08 PM

Nothing increases voter turnout like a good aldermanic race.

Posted by: Ann | July 29, 2007 2:22 PM

Hey Jacob: I love when you blog. The right to organize is a right just like the right to vote is. All you hear the Union say is the well was poisened. Bull Crap!!!! The vote is private. You can vote as you please. We have freedom of choice. 1199 will not force it's way into YNHH. Employees are going to execute their rights and take it all the way to DC if need be. LET YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL VOTE. Just like we vote in and out politicians. Look at the poor kitchen workers at YNHH STILL NO CONTRACT. Since December. The Union members turn outs to their negotiations are poor. Why, because they've had it too. DeStefano is pissed at YNHH cause they don't pay taxes. If I was YNHH, I'd put the parking lot for the Cancer center in boardering West Haven and shuttle patients in on first class shuttles. We do it to and from the VA.

As far as losing your house because of medical bills, how many cases are their? Please give me a break. How many patients does Yale treat for free? I bet you there is a heck of a lot more.

Thank God I moved out of New Haven.

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