**Date:** 6-15-69
**Source:** Unknown
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NAUGATUCK–Talks between Uniroyal and United Rubber negotiators continue in Cincinnati today, but informed sources said progress would depend on talks between the union and some of the other rubber firms, notably B. F. Goodrich and Firestone.
It is with these two companies, said one source, that the heaviest negotiating is taking place.
A source close to the negotiations said although on the surface some of the labor-management negotiators from companies seem to say little to each other “a lot is going on underneath.”
Union negotiators were reportedly surprised during recent talks when management challenged a claim that the union’s counter-proposal would cost only 73 cents.
In a surprise move during recent talks, management presented what is referred to as a “roll up” to challenge a claim that the union’s economic package would cost only 73 cents.
In use, sources say, the “roll up” shows that although a raise apparently amounts to, say, 16 cents, the raise may be more like 17 or 18 cents due to the overtime and machine down time.
Union negotiators were reportedly caught off guard by the term, and claimed that management was using a weighted wage figure, and accused them of inflating the cost of the economic package.
Union spokesmen contacted Wednesday night said that this item was no longer a major obstacle and hinted that the union may be reconsidering the apparent cost of the package.
Some of the larger obstacles, it was said, are non-economic.
One such obstacle is referred to as the “bogie.” A golfing term, it has been applied to the efficiency rating used in at least one company’s plants.
A person who works at a particular job, according to plant employees, is expected to turn out a certain number of articles before he is entitled to full pay.
Assuming no breakdowns on the machine, if an employe does not meet his efficiency rating, he will not receive full pay.