**Date:** 4-20-67
**Source:** Unknown
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NAUGATUCK–Both manage-| At the same time, as further, two groups were close to agree- ment and union spokesmen are evidence of calm, at least on the ment.
A strike decision, said one un- maintaining an air of calmness surface, it was claimed that ion spokesman, would not be although only hours remain be- both labor and management at made until midnight, at which fore the two-year-old master the three local plants had dis- time a joint statement would be contract expires between Uni- cussed what would have to be released. Although neither side royal, Inc. and the United Rub- done should a shutdown occur. would indicate Wednesday how ber Workers (AFL-CIO) at mid- John D. Evans, factory man- close they were to agreement, night tonight.
Talks between the two groups ager at the company’s chemical an extension of the present con- are continuing today without the complex, said that no special tract could be in order if the slightest hint of difficulty, it -was preparations were being made, two groups are close to agree- reported by spokesmen from and said that if a strike were ment at tonight’s deadline.
If a strike is called, however, both sides. called, the local operation could some 5,000 employes in the cor- Current contract talks do not shut down in a very short time. poration’s three local plants involve wages, with increases He said that no start had been would be affected.
negotiated a year ago. Talks at made to quiet any operations at Negotiations for a master con- present relate to fringe benefits the Naugatuck factories. tract between the rubber indus- and working conditions.
Contacted in Cincinnati, Ohio, try’s four largest employers and Representatives from the two where negotiations between the the United Rubber Workers be- sides were reluctant to answer two groups are being held, gan a month ago. In total, over any questions, as both had George Froelich, president of 71,000 workers, including 22,000 agreed not to release any infor- Local 45, cited the agreement from Uniroyal plants across the mation unless there was a joint between the company and the country, will be covered by the effort to do so.
It was rumored from unoffi- rubber workers not to divulge contracts.
Once the master contract is cial sources, however, that any information.
Edward Alves, president of settled, negotiations for second- strike placards were ready in Local, 308, cited the same agree- ary contracts, affecting o n I y the event of a breakdown in the ment, stating only that the nego- local operations, will begin.