**Date:** 4/15/69
**Source:** Unknown
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NAUGATUCK–Union members of Locals 45 and 218 of United Rubber workers were informed on the progress of negotiations in Cincinnati although union officials declined to say what specifically had been discussed at the meetings Monday.
The presidents of the three locals, George Froehlich from Local 45, Joseph Rzeszutek from Local 218 and Edward Alves from Local 308, returned from Cincinnati over the weekend for a briefer and a chance to talk to the union members.
Whether the meetings held were for information only or for policy review was not learned, although Froehlich said he had “met with the executive board” Monday morning. He will return to Cincinnati today to resume negotiations Wednesday.
Although picketing remains quiet at the borough operations, with no official report of difficulties, officials of the Chemical Division, Local 218, report that members of the local will picket the plant “24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
In addition, it was reported, members will picket in three-hour shifts. Local 218 began a buildup of picketing Friday when some members decided to picket throughout the night and most of Saturday.
Local 45, Footwear Plant, continue to picket in two-hour shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The same procedure is being used by Local 308.
The Associated Press reported that pickets from a rebel Chicago local paraded Monday at facilities of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. — the only one of the industry’s “Big Four” not hit by a URW strike.
Work continued on a day-by-day basis at Goodyear under a contract extension after the contract ran out Thursday.
Although talks are reportedly still in progress between Goodyear and the URW, some 500 members of Local 532 walked out at Goodyear’s industrial plant in North Chicago. Local leaders said they would try to urge other Goodyear locals to follow suit.