By a Staff Reporter e If present plans mature, Westminster may have an association of Catholic Trade Unionists. In a letter to the clergy, headed " Westminster Association of Catholic Trade Unionists, dated September 26, Cardinal Griffin writes: "I feel if would be very useful if we could get together Catholics, both men and women, who are active in the Trade Unions."
" For this purpose," continues the Cardinal, " I am arranging to hold a public meeting here at Westminster Cathedral Hall on Thursday, November 21, at 5.30 p.m. " Will you please call a meeting some time during the month of October of Catholic Trade Unionists in your parish who may be interested in the formation of an Association of Catholic Trade
Unionists. Those present could be notified of the meeting to be held in November and invited to attend. In addition I should like the parish to appoint an official delegate to attend the meeting. I should be glad to have the name and address of the delegate by the end of October. " I shall be very grateful for any help you give me."
This letter was read from the pulpit of many churches in the Archdiocese on Sunday last, orSunday, September 29, and the next step is with the parish priests and the trade unionists in the various parishes, Mr. Bernard Sullivan, a leading trade unionist, has given his opinion to a " C.H." reporter: " We are, of course, not seeking to interfere with the Unions as such, but if we were organised in an Association we could do meet to bring forward Catholic principles in our Unions. There is a good deal of apathy among union members at present, particularly amongwomen.
STRENGTHEN UNIONS " Many unions, for example, find it difficult to get shop-stewards and other officials, so if we could get Catholics to come forward, not only would Catholie ideas get a hearing, but the unions themselves would be strengthened. We should also be able to bring pressure to bear in matters where principle is involved, in the trial of Archbishop Stepinac, for example." Many parishes have already arranged for meetings of local trade unionists to discuss ways and means of implementing the Cardinal's proposal. Fr. Robert Moore, of Hackney, expressed himself as being most sympathetic to the idea. Alderman W. V. Wall, Mayor of Hornsey, and himself an employer of tabour, described the plan as " a very sound proposal." There are already active associations of Catholic Trade Unionists in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Tyneside, and it is hoped that the proposed Association in the Westminster Archdiocese will collaborate with them on national issues.