**Date:** June 13, 1967
**Source:** Conn.
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For the first time, the negotiators, at management’s request, were grappling with wages and all fringe benefits in one package. Traditionally, three-year welfare pension contracts and two-year wage contracts are negotiated separately. The welfare pension contracts do not expire until fall.
Another improvement in General’s weekend offer, which Bommanto called ‘attractive’ as a basis for settlement, was an improvement in supplemental unemployment benefit payments providing for 80 per cent of average straight-time pay for laid-off workers or for those on short work-weeks.
This total would include unemployment compensation. Offers of the other companies provided for 75 per cent of straight pay.
General’s offer includes a provision for six weeks vacation after 30 year’s service and two weeks after one year’s service along with existing intermediate vacations.
It is understood that the General proposal for pensions has been upped close to $5.50 per month for each month of service.
Should a settlement be achieved on a ‘single package’ basis, it would be the first time in the rubber industry. Pensions and welfare matters have previously been reserved to a separate contract, the existing one due to expire next Sept. 15.
Previously however, the wage contract and pension agreements have expired on at least alternate years. The proximity of the pension – contract’s conclusion was held to be an obstacle to an earlier settlement of wages.
The companies acknowledged they were reluctant to expose themselves to a substantial wage-cost increase, only to be faced with another strike over pensions and other welfare matters. Until two weeks ago, however, the union apparently had been adamant about keeping the two contracts separate.