Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor History topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs naming College and Elm corner for labor organizer John Wilhelm
Summary
The committee voted June 4 to approve designating the northeast corner of College and Elm Street for John Wilhelm, a longtime labor organizer credited in testimony with founding Local 34 and leading negotiations at Yale; members also discussed adding a QR plaque to provide historical context.
The City of New Haven’s City Services and Environmental Policy committee on June 4 voted to approve, as amended, a resolution to name the northeast corner of College and Elm Street for labor organizer John Wilhelm.
Alder Theodore introduced the nomination and said the naming recognizes Wilhelm’s role in organizing Yale clerical and technical workers and in building Local 34. “He was a fierce advocate who could find compromise,” Alder Theodore said, summarizing supporters’ reasons for the honor.
Cheryl Bergman, a founding member of Local 34 who retired after 39 years of service, told the committee that Wilhelm’s organizing work included a lengthy strike and the campaign that led to Local 34’s first contract in 1985. “Without his vision and leadership, Local 34 would not exist,” Bergman said, recounting tactics Wilhelm used to secure negotiating space and create mechanisms to support union representatives.
Aldo Raymond Koopo, another longtime union member, described Wilhelm’s grassroots organizing model and credited it with lasting improvements in pay and benefits for Yale workers. Committee members praised Wilhelm’s impact and discussed how corner namings can educate the public; one alder suggested piloting a small metal QR code plaque so passersby could access historical context about the honoree.
The committee approved a scrivener’s amendment clarifying that the sign will be installed on the northeast corner of College and Elm Street; that amendment passed by voice vote. The item (LM-2026-0196) will move to the full Board of Alders for a first reading on the first Monday in July and a second reading on the first Monday in August.
The committee’s approval in June does not by itself enact the naming; final action will occur at the full Board after the scheduled readings.
