Strike 4 Weeks Old; No Signs Of Settlement

5-12-67 [handwritten]

No news is available as to how the negotiations between the United Rubber Workers Union and the “Big Five” Rubber Companies is progressing in Cincinnati.

The strike, now in its fourth week, is beginning to affect the economy of the borough as the striking workers have faced their second payless payday.

Strong rumors circulated the borough yesterday that B.F. Goodrich Rubber Co., one of the “Big Five” was close to a settlement with the union on the master contract. The consensus of opinion is that if one of the companies involved in the negotiations settles, the others will follow suit.

However, on the other hand, rumors are to the effect that the strike will be a long drawn-out process. Which rumor is right is anyone’s guess, since no statements have been issued from either side.

A rumor was circulating the borough this morning that members of management and non-union UniRoyal personnel would begin making shoes in the Footwear Division Monday.

John Smith, factory manager, said this morning he would not confirm the story.

Picketing at the UniRoyal gates in the borough remained quiet. Small teams of pickets have been maintained in spite of the rain for the past few days.

Local officials of the union, operating with the threat of an injunction over their heads, have been careful to maintain all conditions of picketing imposed upon them. They have been checking all points of picketing periodically, to insure tempers are kept in hand by the now “edgy” strikers.