CHEM-TEXTS
Page 2 | Vol. 5 No. 3
FROM THE FACTORY MANAGER
DEAR FELLOW EMPLOYEE:
The miracle of the twenty five years of continual growth in the U.S. economy since World War II is something all Americans can be proud of. It has enabled us to become leaders in the world’s markets and to raise our standard of living to the point where we are better off than any people in history.
This miracle didn’t just happen. It was brought about by the tremendous productivity of the people of this country. For twenty years every time wages increased, productivity also increased and our standard of living went up.
In the last five years, however, we have seen a change in this pattern. While wages have increased, productivity has not kept pace with them. This has helped cause inflation and has helped drive the cost of our products up.
In turn, foreign manufacturers have maintained their productivity and are now able to sell their goods in our markets at prices lower than ours. We can see this in Japanese electronics; German and Japanese automobiles; and textile and footwear products from all over the world.
On a smaller scale the same thing is happening at our factory. We are in competition with both foreign and domestic producers. They are competing with us for the same customers and markets, oftentimes at lower prices. Besides this our markets are moving away from the northeast and the increasing cost of rail and truck transportation adds to our problem of doing business competitively.
All of us must realize this and remember that the chemicals we produce are in competition with these domestic and foreign manufacturers. We can only sell what we can produce economically. We can only produce economically with your help and cooperation. Every job in the plant is important. Every person counts in this effort. We all must chip in.
Phil LaJoie
33 Employees Receive $1355
Mechanical Department Submits Most Ideas
Leo Clark, Mechanical dept. received highest single award, $100.
Ed Bazenas received $140 for 2 Ideas.
Gerry Ferguson points to Idea that reduced product loss.
Thirty-three employees received $1355 for Ideas submitted on plant improvements, more efficient equipment operation and cost saving suggestions.
The highest single award, $100, went to Leo Clark for his Idea to install guide rods on the Reclaim tire chute to prevent blockups which affected production.
Ed Bazenas received the highest total amount, $140, for two Ideas. One of his Ideas recommended the redesign of the bag compressor in Bldg. 52 which resulted in improved operations and lower maintenance costs.
Mike Marro’s Idea to machine down discarded teflon seats and reuse them as spacers in ball valves reduced material costs and netted him $50.
Idea man for the January-April period was Jerry Ferguson of the Roylar® plant who turned in 4 Ideas which rewarded him with $135.
For 2 Ideas Charlie LoBalbo received $75.
Four employees—Stanley Dushak, Leo Clark, Natale Vescera and Charlie LoBalbo—received initial awards of $25. Their Ideas
(Cont’d. on page 4)
Blood Drive Big Success
239 people offered to donate blood to the annual Bloodmobile sponsored by Uniroyal Chemical on June 10.
During the 5-hour visit at St. Michael’s Parish House, 214 pints were collected and 25 people were deferred. The Bloodmobile exceeded its goal of 150 by 64 pints, making it a “big success” according to the Naugatuck Red Cross Chapter.
137 Chemical employees, retirees, college students and “walk-ins” and 77 Footwear donors donated blood.
Pin Awards
A 3-gallon pin was awarded to Bob Breton, of Chemical Production, for his 24th contribution of blood.
Bob Cranney, R&D; Walt Gniazdowski, R&D; and Phil Norton, EMIC Sales, received 2-gallon pins.
One gallon pins were presented to Mike Galante, R&D; Henry Hook and Walt Scott, Chemical Production; and Earle Root, Synthetic Production.
In-Plant Organizers
Organizers for the In-Plant canvass were Bob Shortt, Sal Aloise, Adeline Farrar, R.N. and Ann McAllister, R.N. of the Industrial Relations Department.
Uniroyal Chemical employees enjoy sandwiches and coffee after donating blood. Seated from left are John Napiello, Sr., David Boulanger, Walter Campbell, Al Zimmerman, Don Poehailos and Gene Lantieri. Standing from left are Chet Bulka, Walt Scott, Carol Gilbert R.N., and Ted Ciarello. The Red Cross Volunteers served 325 sandwiches and 300 cups of coffee during the 5 hour visit.
Bob Breton, a Chemical Production foreman displays 3 gal. pin he received from Red Cross.
They were assisted by R. Frank, F. Lynch, J. Tierney, G. Allen, S. Gillette, T. Dowling, E. Johnson, L. Coscia, A. Perrella, M. Jasman, D. Poehailos, A. Amador, R. Foltz, B. Daily, J. Callahan, Gary Arndt, J. F. Brown, E. Krauss, E. Philips, A. Nole, and J. Wade.
Plant Joins JOBS ’70
By Milt Makoski
The Chemical plant recently joined the JOBS ’70 consortium organized by the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. The consortium, or group of businesses, has 15 member industries and a goal of 180 job slots to be filled this year. The Chamber organized the group under a grant from the National Alliance of Businessmen and the Federal Department of Labor.
The JOBS program is aimed at training area people for meaningful employment. The trainees are given work orientation, counseling, total image development, job related education and on-the-job training.
The program participants are grouped into clusters according to the type of training to be received. One cluster of 15 girls, who learned to be clerk-typists and transcriptionists, have already been placed in Uniroyal facilities. Four of the girls are now working at the Chemical plant; and 11 at the Oxford Administrative and Research Center.
In charge of the Chamber’s portion of the program is Gus Maultsby. The Chemical plants’ representative with JOBS ’70 is Milt Makoski and the Uniroyal Corporate representative, Rita Garramone.
Constance Antrum, seated, now working in the Industrial Relations department reviews procedure with Gladys Bradshaw on typing a departmental report.
Local 308 Picnic Set
by Art Calder
URW Local 308 will hold its 4th Annual Picnic for Union members on Sunday, August 8, at Schildgen’s Grove on East Waterbury Road in Union City. The picnic starts at 10 A.M. and ends at 6 P.M.
Chairman for this year’s event is Art Calder, assisted by Committee members Walt Bieleski, Nunzio Pastore, Wes Burns and Jack Muckle. A $2.00 charge will be assessed members for food and refreshments, which includes steaks, hamburgers, clams and corp.