**Date:** 6/12-67
**Source:** Unknown
—
The five major rubber companies in the U.S. will consider a URW proposal today after two contracts which were proposed by the companies last week were rejected by the union. One source said the union counter-proposal is only slightly different from its original demand which, according to the companies, would cost the companies an additional $1.40 for each employee.
The company offered a three-year contract and tried to include pension and welfare negotiations, which has habitually come under separate contract. The current welfare-pension contract does not expire until September.
In their offer, the companies provided a $.38 wage increase for tire workers and $.31 increase to non-tire workers.
URW are demanding equal across-the-board raises for all employees, while the companies claim that this would worsen their already poor competitive position in non-tire products.
URW President Peter Bommarito stated that the union is prepared to continue its strike for another month. Local UniRoyal employees are beginning to look a little grey about the pocketbook with Bommarito’s statement and the reduced strike benefit checks.
Alleged promises from the United Auto Workers union to aid the URW strikers financially has not yet materialized. The strike goes into its 53rd day today, with 50,000 employees of Firestone, Goodrich and UniRoyal idle.
After the weekend recess, the companies, which had time to study the union offer during the respite, and the URW will resume negotiations at the bargaining table.