The City of New Haven Mayor John DeStefano welcomed the delegates, distinguished guests and speakers at the Omni Hotel on October 28th for the opening of the annual AFL-CIO convention. There were over 300 delegates in attendance from affiliates across CT. In attendance from LL 1746A were Scott Smith, Tony Tarascio, Kevin Cusson, Mike Frei, Mark Dion and Kirby Boyce representing the Bristol Labor Council.

Speakers included Governor Jodi Rell, being presented a “Privitization Equals Corruption” bumper sticker from Scott Smith in the photo above, Shaun Cashman, Commissioner Department of Labor, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, International President of the American Postal Workers Union William Burrus, President of the American Civil Liberties Union of CT Roger Vann, Barbara Kennelly, Sam Gejdenson, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz and many more distinguished speakers addressed the delegation.

A surprise guest at the AFL-CIO convention was star of television and screen, Ron Perlman, best known for his role as Vincent in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and recently as ‘Hellboy’. He spoke about the Utopia Project, a proposed $1.6 billion entertainment complex that would have major implications for Southeastern CT’s economy and involve a development that would include 4,200 hotel rooms, a 4500,00 square foot arts school, 225,342 feet of movie studios and 5 theme parks totaling 1.8 million square feet. The project would also generate 22,000 union jobs over the next few years.

Ron was with other actors, directors and producers there promoting the project. This would be a big boon to CT’s economy in these days of slow job growth and union busting. CT can use more good paying union jobs. Ron Perlman, beside being a great actor and family man, is a card carrying union member. Ron  is with Everret Corey in the 1st photo.

John Olsen, President CT AFL-CIO opened the floor for comments and suggestions at the close of the convention. Scroll down for  pictures from the convention.