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Duration Record Will Be Set In URW Strike

If the United Rubber Workers strike continue past Saturday, a new record will be set for duration of strikes in the rubber industry. In 1959, the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. was struck by URW for 58 days.

Negotiations continued yesterday with the groups still discussing a counter-proposal submitted by the union last week. Talks are scheduled to continue today.

The membership of the three borough Locals faithfully take their turn at picketing at the plants here in Naugatuck. The pickets are stationed at the Footwear plant gates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. leaving their strike placards hanging on the gates at night. Pickets are at the Chemical Co. gates on a round-the-clock basis; sitting in their cars on rainy days and can be seen lounging on blankets on the hot humid days.

Some strikers have found other employment on a full time basis in other industry in the area, according to reports, terminating their employment at UniRoyal.

The union is seeking a higher hourly rate and a 95 per cent supplementary benefit for workers who are laid off. The “Big Five” has dubbed the demand as a “request for a guaranteed annual wage.”

Tire workers currently average $3.69 an hour while other production workers average $2.68. The union is also trying to do away with the pay differential for the two classes of employes.

Negotiations between the rubber companies and the union continue on a daily basis but, thus far, there has been no signs of settlement.

According to sources, true negotiations have begun at last. Both sides are giving on a few minor points.

Sessions began in Cincinnati on March 20, one month before the contract was due to expire. Up until this point, neither side was willing to give. The companies knew what they wanted to give and the union clung to its demands.