**Date:** 7-27-67
**Source:** Unknown
—
By Cynthia Baran
and
Holly Fitzsimmons
“It’s wonderful!” “It’s great!”
“Yippee!”
Such were the comments on borough streets this morning following the end of the 97-day strike.
Businessmen expressed relief that the long walkout has ended and hope that business will soon be back to normal.
Restaurant owners who depend almost exclusively on patronage from UniRoyal employees are looking forward to the end of the shutdown.
Barry Demirali, proprietor of Robinson’s Luncheonette, said, “It’s wonderful. We were very slow. Fortunately, we didn’t have to lay off any of our people.”
At the Coffee Shop on Maple St., John Frazo noted, “We’re very happy. People won’t suffer anymore.”
Carl Nickle of Donovan’s Pharmacy added, “I’m very enthusiastic; very happy. Business will pick up.”
Barikl Seit at the A & P Sub Shop, which opened two days after the strike began, commented, “It was too long.”
People may not eat in restaurants during a strike, but they still have to eat. Peter DeSanto, manager of First National Store, said that business was as usual. He admitted that he expected a slump in business and was surprised that it did not occur.
A checker at the grocery store noted that they bought less when they shopped, but came more often.
Other businesses in the borough also suffered as a result of the strike.
The Handee Variety Store on Water Street, which depends on UniRoyal workers for 90 per cent of its business, was forced to close in the afternoon for the duration of the strike as 80 per cent of its customers evaporated. The proprietor cancelled subscriptions to all afternoon newspapers.
The story at Vic’s Smoke Shop was slightly different. The number of papers in stock was decreased, but people continued to come in in the morning asking for the latest word on the strike.
“I’m glad it’s over,” said one employee. “I was getting tired of being the Town Crier.”
Conversely, the Teri Travel Agency reported that business’ remained normal. “We were hurt more by the airiines strike last summer than the local strike. It was an opportunity for some people to have a real vacation.”
Man-on-the-street comments ranged from “I’m very happy” to “The whole strike was a big joke anyway.”
Richard Lingelback, a UniRoyal employee enjoying a peaceful breakfast in a local luncheonette, said about the settlement, “A better thing couldn’t have happened.”
“It’s a wonderful thing. I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time. I’ve been going crazy, hanging around,” Gene Thomas added.
George Sprocca, retired, observed, “The strike was bad for the town. They never made up all the money they lost.”
Residents 7-27-67
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Paul Cassette, chairman of NYAC, stated,”I hope both union and management are satisfied with the new contract. Certainly the town economy has been affected by the strike. Who knows how long it will take to recover?”
Danny Lamano, heaving a sigh of relief, expressed the borough consensus, “I’m thrilled over this … after 14 weeks … it was too long.”