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LOCAL 3204
Workers of America
522-8171 CH 25
807 HENRY GRADY BUILDING
26 CAIN STREET, N. W.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
September 22, 1966
Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mayor
City of Atlanta
City Hall
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your letter of September 9, 1966 and the Meadiator's
Report of The Atlanta Firefighters Union, Ind., and The City of
Atlanta. You state that paragraph 5 of the Resolution contains a
misstatement that I might like to correct. Does paragraph 5 con-
tains a misstatement? Doesn't Dr. Harrison on page 3 of the
Meadiator's Report lead all of us to believe that had it not been
for the legal opinion he would have suggested an immediate increase
in wages or a reduction in hours?
Doesn't Dr. Harrison bring this out clearly in the second paragraph,
page 3, when he states "On the other hand, I recognize that the
legal opinion, though provided by a most distinguished and com-
petent Atlanta firm has no legal standing."?
I believe Dr. Harrison, had it not been for the legal advice and,
"along with the rather narrow restrictions placed on him by the
resolution" would have recommended, and did believe, that an
immediate increase in wages or a reduction in hours was right and
proper.
It is my belief and the belief of those interested in the resolution
passed by this Local Union that you and the Board of Alderman are
attempting to hide behind a technicality of the Charter in an effort
to destroy organized labor insofar as the City of Atlanta is concerned.
Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.
September 22, 1966
I believe you and any other right thinking citizen of this area
realizes that when everyone admits that the employees of this city
are underpaid, that you must be fighting something altogether
different than a mere violation of the Charter.
Sooner or later the citizens of Atlanta will awaken to the fact
that two or three firemen in a firehouse is not adequate fire
protection. Sooner or later these same citizens will realize that
the experience of more than 400 firemen can not be replaced by
January 1. This will be realized sooner than expected when the
insurance rates for the City of Atlanta are hiked due to this
inexperience and inadequate coverage.
Since you had a suggestion that I correct the misstatement of the
resolution of this Local let me give you this advice, give the
firemen a raise and get them back on the job! A great Mayor of a
great city can find a way and the means without violating a
Charter.
Sincerely,
Soevterd On slae-00 2
LAWSON A. SEWELL, President
Local 3204, Cc. W. A.
LAS: fha
LOCAL 3204
Workers of America
522-8171 CH 25
807 HENRY GRADY BUILDING
26 CAIN STREET, N. W.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303
September 22, 1966
Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mayor
City of Atlanta
City Hall
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your letter of September 9, 1966 and the Meadiator's
Report of The Atlanta Firefighters Union, Ind., and The City of
Atlanta. You state that paragraph 5 of the Resolution contains a
misstatement that I might like to correct. Does paragraph 5 con-
tains a misstatement? Doesn't Dr. Harrison on page 3 of the
Meadiator's Report lead all of us to believe that had it not been
for the legal opinion he would have suggested an immediate increase
in wages or a reduction in hours?
Doesn't Dr. Harrison bring this out clearly in the second paragraph,
page 3, when he states "On the other hand, I recognize that the
legal opinion, though provided by a most distinguished and com-
petent Atlanta firm has no legal standing."?
I believe Dr. Harrison, had it not been for the legal advice and,
"along with the rather narrow restrictions placed on him by the
resolution" would have recommended, and did believe, that an
immediate increase in wages or a reduction in hours was right and
proper.
It is my belief and the belief of those interested in the resolution
passed by this Local Union that you and the Board of Alderman are
attempting to hide behind a technicality of the Charter in an effort
to destroy organized labor insofar as the City of Atlanta is concerned.
Honorable Ivan Allen, Jr.
September 22, 1966
I believe you and any other right thinking citizen of this area
realizes that when everyone admits that the employees of this city
are underpaid, that you must be fighting something altogether
different than a mere violation of the Charter.
Sooner or later the citizens of Atlanta will awaken to the fact
that two or three firemen in a firehouse is not adequate fire
protection. Sooner or later these same citizens will realize that
the experience of more than 400 firemen can not be replaced by
January 1. This will be realized sooner than expected when the
insurance rates for the City of Atlanta are hiked due to this
inexperience and inadequate coverage.
Since you had a suggestion that I correct the misstatement of the
resolution of this Local let me give you this advice, give the
firemen a raise and get them back on the job! A great Mayor of a
great city can find a way and the means without violating a
Charter.
Sincerely,
Soevterd On slae-00 2
LAWSON A. SEWELL, President
Local 3204, Cc. W. A.
LAS: fha