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PICKETERS at the Maple St. gate of UniRoyal wore smiles this morning as they allowed white collar workers enter the plants without incident. Peaceful picketing was the order of the day, a far cry from the near riot conditions of Thursday and Friday.
—(News photo by Piscitelli)

8-8-67

Conditions Very Quiet Today In UniRoyal Strike

Peaceful picketing was conducted at the gates of all UniRoyal plants this morning as negotiations on the UniRoyal master contracts resumed in Cincinnati.

After Thursday and Friday mornings near-riot conditions on Maple St., management of UniRoyal went into Waterbury Superior Court Friday afternoon seeking a restraining order.

Judge Leo V. Gaffney issued a stern warning to the unions to cease blocking operations and allow the white collar workers to enter the plants. He continued the case until tomorrow to allow the union to prepare its case.

Raymond Mengacci, vice-president of Local 45, said he issued instructions to his picket captains to uphold the law and allow company personnel to pass through the lines.

Mengacci was at the Maple St. gates this morning to insure picketing remained peaceful.

Police relieved that the tension has eased, spent the morning assessing the situation and checking on damaged clothing and injuries received while trying to control the situation.

UniRoyal, along with the restraining order it is seeking, is asking $1 million in damages from the union as a result of the strikers’ alleged interference with plant operations.

The injunction request reads, in part, that “the plaintiff (UniRoyal) has been and will continue to be unable to perform functions vital to its operations ….”

Neither President of Local 45, George Froehlich, or its vice-president, Mengacci, have any comment to make on this claim of damages.

[Visible on picket signs in image:]
– UNITED RUBBER WORKERS ON STRIKE
– UNITED RUBBER WORKERS ON STRIKE