**Date:** 5-10-67
**Source:** Unknown
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WATERBURY — Superior Court Judge Leo Gaffney yesterday continued for two weeks a ‘show cause’order issued last Friday to the United Rubber Workers Union in response to a petition for a temporary injunction and restraining order by UniRoyal, Inc.
Citing the good progress made since last Friday’s flare-ups in Naugatuck, Judge Gaffney said the continuance was “an experiment to see if the union and company can get back the good relationship they had before the strike started.”
He said he expected the union to look on this situation “in a reasonable manner,” calling for the union to restrict picketing “to a reasonable number” and restrain pickets from harassing management and other non-union members as they enter and leave the firm’s plants.
“The onus will fall on me if this experiment fails,” the Judge said.
Judge Gaffney again urged the union, as he did last Friday in Superior Court, to call on its members to refrain from interfering in any way with the operations of UniRoyal.
“This continuance will terminate at any time there is any evidence of interference by the union,” he said.
Judge Gaffney said he realized tempers flare on the picket lines and there are harsh words spoken at times.
He said, however, that “The company has the absolute right to continue doing business during negotiations. It is not to be interfered with by the union.”
Any interference will bring about a restraining order and penalties, Judge Gaffney said. Penalties would include a high bond on the union, required with the issuance of a restraining order and injunction.
A high tribute was paid members of the Naugatuck Police Department by Judge Gaffney. “The police handling of the situation in Naugatuck last week was in the finest tradition and the department is to be commended,” he said.
He also commended the union and management for the marked difference in the local situation since last Friday’s flare-ups in the borough.
Judge Gaffney mentioned “three or four agitators stirring up trouble” at the Footwear Division picket lines in Naugatuck. Although not mentioning anyone by name, he told the union leaders present, “You know who they are and we have their names. You (union leaders) must keep them away from the picket lines. They’ll destroy the good will which has been built up in the last few days through agitating and name-calling,” he said.
The proceedings in the Waterbury County Courthouse didn’t begin until 12:45 p.m. Judge Gaffney opened the proceedings by saying he has an application from UniRoyal for a temporary injunction and restraining order.
Atty. Dwight Fanton, counsel for UniRoyal, spoke first and reviewed the legal proceedings up to that time. He said the company had been in court last Friday seeking the injunction.
He said there had been no interference with the plaintiffs’ operation in the last two working days, with only a couple of very minor infractions.
Under the circumstances, Fanton said, the firm would agree on a two-week continuance with the company by the defendant union.
Atty. Daniel Baker, counsel for the URW Union, told the court union leaders had discussed at length with picket captains the picketing situation and that they all understood the meaning of peaceful picketing.
“We intend to fully comply with the court’s instructions regarding no interference,” Atty. Baker said.
Atty. Fanton asked Judge Gaffney to remind and instruct union officials regarding the number of pickets allowable and to caution the pickets against using abusive language to people entering UniRoyal’s plants. He also cited interference with motor trucks and rail cars entering and leaving the firm.
“All parties should recognize their responsibility to the court,” he said. “Should there be interference with our client (UniRoyal), we’ll be back here for a temporary injunction.”
Atty. Baker said, “Management has the responsibility of informing anyone entering the plant of the strike so that those people can make their own decisions as to whether or not they want to cross the picket lines.
“We’ll make sure of the reasonable number of pickets,” Atty. Baker said. “But we reserve the right to ask truck drivers not to enter and cross our picket lines.”
Judge Gaffney preceded his remarks by telling those present he had “two alternatives” to resolve this matter. I can continue the ‘show cause’order or immediately issue an injunction and restraining order since it is common knowledge that there have been a number of arrests as the result of illegal picketing last week.
“Both parties would be better off if the court didn’t issue the restraining order,” he said.
The court said it was willing to go along with a continuance of the ‘show cause’order for two weeks, providing there was no interference by the union in the company’s operations and no violence.
He reminded those present they would be available at any time, including Saturday and Monday (when the court is not in session) in the event there is any trouble.