**Date:** 4-26-67
**Source:** Unknown
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AKRON, Ohio (UPI) — Negotiations continued today between the nation’s four major rubber companies and the United Rubber Workers Union URW on a new contract to replace the pact expiring at midnight tonight. Both sides refuse to comment on any progress in the talks which would affect some 78,000 workers. The outcome of the talks would influence General Tire’s contract expiring May 15 and a number of smaller firms having a total of 100,000 workers. The four companies negotiating contracts at present are Goodyear, UniRoyal, Firestone and Goodrich. The rubber industry has been hit by only two major strikes since 1947. The largest one was several years ago when a walkout lasted for 51 days. The last company-wide strike affecting a major rubber firm was a six-day walkout against UniRoyal in 1965. The new president of the 175,000-member URW, Peter Bommarito, contends he does not want to strike but since taking office last September, he has given the URW a more militant appearance, visiting locals around the country and taking a personal hand in negotiations. His militancy has caused the big five companies to form a mutual aid pact for the first time in their history. The plan calls for providing substantial financial aid to any member hit by a strike.