1960s

Negotiators Not Meeting In Ohio

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Negotiators Not Meeting In Ohio

6-2-67

No negotiating sessions between UniRoyal and the United Rubber Workers have been held yet this week and strong rumors indicate no session will be held today. Yesterday for the second consecutive day a scheduled session was canceled.

Union spokesmen said the reason for the cancellation of Wednesday’s and Thursday’s talks was to enable the negotiating committees to meet privately. The cancellations were said to be by mutual agreement.

Peter Bommarito, URW international president, in the union’s NLRB unfair labor practice complaint, struck bitterly at the mutual assistance strike pact of the five major rubber companies as the cause of the union’s strike against UniRoyal, Firestone and Goodrich.

He said the union expects to file similar charges against all five of the major concerns. He called the strike pact a “combination or conspiracy” among the five companies.

The pact, according to Bommarito, which provides “substantial” financial aid for any of the five that experience work stoppages – to be supplied by those that aren’t struck – isn’t unprecedented in industry. But the issue hasn’t previously been

the basis of unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB.

Bommarito, in the union’s NLRB complaint, contended the mutual aid pact has prolonged the strike because it prevents the employer from agreeing on necessary terms of settlement without the approval of the other members of the conspiracy.

The companies had stated, in disclosing existence of the pact

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Small Groups Continue Talks

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Small Groups Continue Talks

2—Waterbury American, Friday, June 2, 1967

Naugatuck

Small Groups Continue Talks

NAUGATUCK— Although scheduled talks on a master contract between the big five rubber companies and United Rubber Workers failed to take place this week, it was learned this morning that individual firm and union officials of each company local are meeting in

Naugatuck Valley

small groups for continuation of negotiations.

Officials of Locals 45, 218 and 308 are in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, the team of Uniroyal Company negotiators has returned here, with the talks being carried on by New York officials of Uniroyal.

The strike against Uniroyal and two other giant rubber companies enters its seventh week today.

Union spokesmen said the reason for the cancellation of Wednesday’s and Thursday’s talks was to enable the negotiating committees to meet privately. The cancellations, it was noted, were by mutual agreement.

In other developments it was learned Thursday that URW International President Peter Bommarito may file unfair labor practice charges against Uniroyal.

Bommarito alleges that a mutual aid pact between the five rubber firms is interfering with “good faith bargaining.”

The URW filed unfair labor practice charges against Firestone Thursday, and plans “to file similar charges against each of the other four parties who are parties to this strike assistance pact.”

The international president charged that the mutual aid pact was the cause of the strike against Uniroyal, Firestone and B.F.Goodrich.

Work has continued on a day-to-day basis at the other two members of the big five, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and General Tire and Rubber Co.

Pickets at the three borough operations continued Thursday, with no reports of mass picketing among any of the three locals.

Uniroyal Talks Fail To Occur

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6-2-67

Uniroyal Talks Fail To Occur

NAUGATUCK — For the second day scheduled talks on a master contract between Uniroyal and the United Rubber Workers failed to take place Thursday. Reliable sources indicated that they would not resume today.

URW sources in Cincinnati said Thursday night that the union had made an offer to management to resume negotiations today, but added that as of that time management had not responded to the offer.

Exactly when the negotiations would resume could not be learned, as management spokesmen could not be reached Thursday night.

As the second day of the sudden break in negotiations drew to a close, the strike against Uniroyal and two other giant rubber companies entered its seventh week.

Union spokesmen said the reason for the cancellation of Wednesday’s and Thursday’s talks was to enable the negotiating committees to meet privately. The cancellations, it was noted, were by mutual agreement.

In other developments it was learned Thursday that URW International President Peter Bommarito may file unfair labor practice charges against Uniroyal.

Bommarito alleges that a mutual aid pact between the five rubber firms is interfering with “good faith bargaining.”

The URW filed unfair labor practice charges against Firestone Thursday, and plans “to file similar charges against each of the other four parties who are parties to this strike assistance pact.”

The international president charged that the mutual aid pact was the cause of the strike against Uniroyal, Firestone and B.F.Goodrich.

Work has continued on a day-by-day basis at the other two members of the big five, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and General Tire and Rubber Co.

Pickets at the three borough operations continued Thursday, with no reports of mass picketing among any of the three locals.

Time For Action

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Time For Action

Editorial….

6-3-67

Time For Action

Time is relative to many factors.

All of us have had long days and all of us have had short ones, too. Under certain circumstances, 40 days could be a short time — much too short, say, when spent on a Florida vacation or a trip to Europe.

But under other circumstances, 40 days can be an excruciatingly long time — and such is the case with Naugatuck at the moment.

The strike against UniRoyal has long since passed the stage when it was a temporary inconvenience. Naugatuck is hurting –and hurting bad!

The latest word from Ohio, where all the conversation has been going on presumably in an effort to arrive at some sort of meeting of the minds, is not one about which we can grow enthusiastic or even slightly hopeful.

In short, it’s not good.

For at least three days there has been a recess with no progress whatsoever, and there is no indication that the situation is about to change. It has been said that the talks in Cincinnati to date have been the “weirdest” negotiations in the memory of some venerable veterans of the labor-management wars.

It’s hard to judge here in Naugatuck, several hundred miles away from the scene of the action (?) just what’s going on, despite official reports. It’s difficult if not impossible, to dedetermine who’s right and who’s wrong at this point.

But there seems little question that something is wrong somewhere. Somebody isn’t trying as hard as might be expected.

It seems to us that there has been ample time to think and talk about the problems involved in the UniRoyal strike. What is needed now is action! And plenty of it!

We are not attempting to point the finger at either side in this dispute at the moment. We simply know that this prolonged dispute is creating an atmosphere in Naugatuck which is both unhealthy and potentially dangerous.

The wheels of commerce are slowing down. Bills are going unpaid, debts are increasing and — what’s worse — tempers are getting shorter. The potential for trouble is tremendous.

We would suggest, then, that this is not the time to put off negotiations, but rather the time to step up the tempo.

There is an answer somewhere, if men will but use their minds and resort to logic and reason instead of emotion. Let’s get on with it!

Naugatuck Stalemate May Ease

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Naugatuck Stalemate May Ease

Rubber Strike In 45th Day 6-4-67

Naugatuck Stalemate May Ease

By PATRICK KEATING
Register Staff Reporter

NAUGATUCK — A turning point in the stalemated negotiations between the United Rubber Workers-AFL-CIO and Uniroyal is expected this week, possibly as early as Monday.

The strike at the company’s three local divisions is now in its 45th day.

Though neither side is talking outside the conference rooms, it has been indicated that the issue of a new master contract has reached a point where either

the union or the company will have to budge.

If this happens, an agreement could be reached that would send some 5,000 local union members back to work after being idle since April 21.

The seriousness of the deadlock in negotiations was evident this past week when the URW international committee and Uniroyal representatives reportedly failed to meet following the Memorial Day holiday.

Reports from Cincinnati were that both negotiating teams had passed up official conferences so that they might meet separately in a drastic effort to resolve the stalemate.

A reliable source has said that when negotiations are resumed Monday, Uniroyal will have a package deal available for the consideration of the union. The context of this reported proposal is not yet known and the policy of Uniroyal has been to abstain from public announcements on its position.

Last Monday, the company forwarded an open letter to its employes, explaining that it had proposed that the contract be negotiated on a day-to-day basis. This would have permitted production to continue.

George Froehlich, president of Local 45, Footwear, did not discount the statement but said that the proposal to work and negotiate had been tendered only a short time before the expiration of the contract.

Prior to the strike, the URW announced it was seeking a substantial hourly wage increase

and a guaranteed salary, among other benefits. The guaranteed wage is considered one of the real issues that has kept the negotiators apart.

It is reported that Uniroyal is interested in signing a contract on a three-year basis. Present contracts are for two years.

Also, Uniroyal is looking to September when it will have to negotiate a supplemental contract with the union. The possibility of another walkout then has prompted Uniroyal to seek an understanding at this time on pension and other benefits. However, the union reportedly is not enthused about any agreement now on issues that pertain to the supplemental contract.

City’s Yale Club To Hold Annual Dinner On Monday

The annual dinner meeting of the Yale Club of New Haven will be held Monday in the dining room of Ezra Stiles College, according to club president Norman I. Botwinik. A social hour will begin in the buttery at 6:30 p.m.

Henry Elliot, program chairman, said scholarships will be presented to Mark DeFrancesco of Notre Dame High School; Joseph Roberti, Branford High; Richard Sweeting, Wilbur Cross, and Harry Armstrong, who will be graduating from West Haven High. Membership dues provide the revenues for the scholarships.

Speaker at the dinner will be Ingslee Clark, director of admissions at Yale. Donald Walker will be toastmaster.

Rubber Strike Negotiations Continue In Ohio Cities

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Rubber Strike

6-6-67

Negotiations Continue In Ohio Cities

Negotiators representing the United Rubber Workers Union and UniRoyal met yesterday in Cincinnati for the first time since the Memorial Day recess. Reliable sources report the meeting lasted until well after 10 o’clock last night.

Although federal mediators are in Cincinnati it has been said that they are not present at the negotiating table. Another meeting has been scheduled for this morning.

Although picketing remains quiet in the borough, nerves are on edge and rumors of impending riots are being spread throughout the borough. Locals 45, 218 and 308 are continuing to distribute weekly union benefit checks today. The strike, now in its 45th day, is taking its financial toll in the borough.

Third Ward Republican Burgess Edward McGrath announced last night that he plans to ask the Borough Board at its meeting tonight to “bring Gov. John Dempsey into the picture.”

“It’s high time the Governor took action,” he said, adding

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Negotiations

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Negotiations

c-6-67 [handwritten]

Continued From Page 1

that “the economy of the whole valley is affected by the strike.”

Although the governor cannot take coercive action, McGrath felt that persuasion from the highest office in the state might have some effect in bringing about a settlement.

“This is too important a situation to just sit back,” McGrath said. To date, no one has taken official action to help bring about a settlement.

If Governor Dempsey and his advisors cannot wield the necessary influence, McGrath said, he would consider seeking federal action.

Reports have been received from Ohio that it is felt by URW membership that a faster settlement will be reached if all negotiators sit down in a body and discuss all the issues, including the local issues.

Negotiations are presently being held in three Ohio cities. UniRoyal and Goodyear are negotiating in Cincinnati, Firestone and General Tire in another city with Goodrich in the third location.

TECH-AGE [partial text visible at bottom]

Goodrich Negotiators Holding Up Settlement?

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Goodrich Negotiators Holding Up Settlement?

Goodrich Negotiators Holding Up Settlement?

6-5-67 [handwritten]

According to a story in an Ohio newspaper, one group of union negotiators, reportedly from Goodrich, may be preventing the United Rubber Workers and Big Five rubber companies from moving toward rapid settlement of the 44-day strike against three of the companies.

Arrangements reportedly had been made for representatives of all five companies, Goodyear Firestone, UniRoyal, Goodrich and General Tire, to sit together at the bargaining table with representatives of the union locals from each firm.

Word was that all the companies and URW policy committees from four of the firms has agreed to the industrywide bargaining. The Goodrich negotiators reportedly wouldn’t go along.

The mass talk plan was viewed as significant for two reasons: All parties involved in the negotiations would know exactly what was going on. The full range of negotiable natters, including pensions and insurance, could be put on the table.

Current talks have involved only wages and working conditions. Contracts covering pensions and insurance haven’t expired.

URW members from Firestone and Goodrich plants say they don’t want to face another strike in three months. And they say there is nationwide sentiment for wrapping the whole thing up in one sitting.

URW President Peter Bommarito rejected the companies’ offer of wage increases in a two year package plus other improvements, saying it was worth about 2.5 per cent and most settlements in the last year or so had been in the 5 per cent range.

Bommarito has been saying that the companies just aren’t bargaining and Thursday went so far as to charge Firestone with just that, refusal to bargain, in a complaint to the regional office of the National Labor Relations Board in Cleveland.

The Rubber Companies have a mutual pact which calls for the firms not struck to give financial help to the ones that are. Bommarito said the industry has taken its pact to the bargaining table.

Union insiders admit they haven’t been able to exert much economic pressure on the companies because of the pact. But they say the real problem is that because of the pact the companies first have to negotiate with each other and reach agreement on what to offer before they can talk at the tables.

The massed meeting would eliminate this type of union griping, URW sources say. It would put everyone face to face with most decisions made on the spot or in adjacent caucus rooms.

The URW has been negotiating with Goodyear and UniRoyal in Cincinnati, Firestone and General in Cleveland and Goodrich in Columbus. The industry-wide meeting would have been in a neutral city, Pittsburgh.

Locally, the picketing has remained calm at the gates of the Footwear, Chemical and Synthetic plants. The striking workers have resigned themselves to no early settlement.

A few hopeful strikers rumor that work will begin next week, but tracing down the rumor, no

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Governor’s Aid Urged In Uniroyal Dispute

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Governor's Aid Urged In Uniroyal Dispute

Governor’s Aid Urged In Uniroyal Dispute

6-6-67 [handwritten]

NAUGATUCK — The Board of Mayor and Burgesses may take action today to seek Gov. John Dempsey’s aid in settling the master contract negotiations between Uniroyal and the United Rubber Workers.

Third Ward Republican Burgess Edward McGrath said Monday night he plans to make a motion during tonight’s borough board meeting to “bring the governor into the picture ”

“It’s high time the governor took action,” said McGrath, adding that “the economy of the whole valley is affected by the strike.”

An attempt to reach Governor Dempsey for a comment Monday night failed.

Although the governor cannot take coercive action, McGrath felt that persuasion from the highest office in the state might have some effect in bringing about a settlement in the six-week-old strike.

“This is too important a situation to just sit back,” said the burgess. To date, he added, no one has taken any official action to help bring about a settlement.

If Goverior Dempsey and his advisors cannot weild the necessary influence, McGrath said he would consider seeking federal action, possibly through President Johnson.

Although Uniroyal’s negotiations are on a national scale, noted McGrath, the immediate situation is local, and warrants the governor’s attention.

Negotiators for Uniroyal and the URW met face to face Monday for the first time since May 26. Following a Memorial Day weekend recess, the groups did not convene as scheduled last Wednesday.

It was claimed that the meetings did not take place at that time because both groups “had some things to discuss.”

Management negotiators contacted Monday night said that both groups met during the day, but declined to state whether any signs of progress could be seen. They are scheduled to meet again this morning.

Although federal mediators are present in Cincinnati, where the negotiations are taking place, it has been reported that they are not at the negotiating table.

Goodrich Negotiators

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Goodrich Negotiators

Goodrich Negotiators

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Continued From Page 1

basis can be found for the story.

No negotiating sessions were held last week for the first time since the strike was called April 20. Both sides met separately to discuss the situation.

The lack of income is beginning to touch all striking workers and the borough in general. URW members were buying merchandise to work on homes and yards in the first weeks of the strike but now are beginning to be cautious with their savings.

Letters to the Editor

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Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

29 George St.,
Naugatuck, Conn.

Editor
Naugatuck Daily News.
Dear Sir

After reading the article concerning the beginning of operations at the Naugatuck Chemical by inexperienced personnel, I could not remain silent and would like to ask only one question of the management’s decision.

Have you such a poor memory that you already forgot, not only the many explosions, but in a few of those the deaths of some individuals, right there at the Naugatuck Chemical, And they were men experienced at their jobs. Although I am a member of Local 45 URW, I am speaking also as former resident, of almost 20 years on Ward Street, still am a resident of Naugatuck and last a very wor-

wrestle rou~~
total gross receipts of the car-
nival at Fireman’s Field.

6-7-67

ried citizen.

If anything happens at the Naugatuck Chemical, God have mercy on us.

Thank you,
Mrs. Caroline Pereira

PRESIDENT JOHNSON plans to get out and “meet the people” before the November elections. He met a big majority in ’64, but somebody told him times change.

! ! !

LBJ wants to get around a bit to support Democratic candidates. Mending offenses, you might call it.

! ! !

It’s an off-year election, so the Republicans figure to gain. If they’ll just stop hanging separately.

! ! !

When the President schedules a speech, it’s a major address. At least till after election.

UniRoyal Strike Could End This Week-End

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UniRoyal Strike Could End This Week-End

6-8-67 [handwritten]

A very reliable source told the NEWS this morning that the strike could be settled over the weekend; and, if not, by the middle of next week.

Matters seem to be coming to a head with both management and union making proposals.

Our source also informed us that under a three year contract offered by the company, pension payments, both for new and retired employees would be increased to $4.75 a month per year of service (not $5.25 a month as was stated yesterday). This would be an increase of $1.50 from the present $3.25.

The United Rubber Workers Union will cut their striker’s

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Borough Will Request Aid In Ending Strike

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Borough Will Request Aid In Ending Strike

6-7-67

NAUGATUCK— Mayor Joseph C. Raytkwich has been empowered to seek the aid of Gov. John Dempsey in bringing about a settlement in the Uniroyal-United Rubber Workers negotiations.

The board, during its Tuesday meeting, unanimously passed Third Ward Burgess Edward McGrath’s motion seeking the governor’s aid.

The Republican burgess cited the “potentially permanent and serious effect” the seven-week strike could have on the economy of the borough if it continued any longer.

Following passage of the motion, Mayor Raytkwich said that he would contact Gov. Dempsey “as soon as possible.”

Although the governor c about a settlement, it is possible that he could persuade the two groups to settle.

Amid scattered rumors that a settlement could be effected Thursday, press services reported Tuesday that negotiations with three maor tire producers, including Uniroyal, were in recess until Thursday with the union considering a three-year contract offer.

Attempts to contact union negotiators failed Tuesday. An unidentified person answering one negotiator’s telephone late Tuesday night reported that the negotiator was in a meeting and would be there “for several hours.”

A management negotiator contacted at the same time said that talks were recessed until Thursday, but not because the union was considering a management offer.

He claimed that the URW’s legal counsel died Monday, and that many of the union members planned to attend the funeral.

Press services reported that management’s offer of a three-year contract was made Monday by Firestone, Goodyear and Uniroyal. B. F. Goodrich made a similar offer Tuesday. General Tire and Rubber was expected to make its offer later this week.

United Rubber Workers negotiators said the proposed new contract would give tire plant workers, who now average $3.30 to $3.60 an hour, a 38-cent hourly raise in three yearly steps— 16 cents in the first year and 11 cents in each of the last two years.

Nontire plant workers would get 13-9-9, for a total of 31 cents.

Company officials said their offer added up to 60 to 73.5 cents an hour, including fringe benefits such as pensions and insurance.

The union has separate agreements on pensions and insurance that do not expire until Sept. 15. The companies reportedly offered to increase their monthly payments into the pension fund from $3.25 to $5.25 per employe, with commensurate increases in amounts paid retired workers.

Uniroyal 6-8-67 Continued From Page 1

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UniRoyal 6-8-67

Continued From Page 1

benefit checks to $15 starting next week in order to “continue giving financial assistance to our brothers and sisters on strike for a longer period of time…”

Negotiations were not held yesterday at official headquarters because the union was considering a proposed three-year contract offer, and because many of the negotiators attended the funeral of the union’s legal counsel.

In the borough, many believe the strike will be settled within a week; while others still cling to the thought that settlement is a long time off.

Mayor Joseph C. Raytkwich, acting upon a motion made at the Borough Board meeting Tuesday, has written to Governor John Dempsey. Borough officials are hoping that Dempsey’s influence will have some weight in effecting a speedy strike settlement.

The Naugatuck Police Department has spent a total of 1,496 overtime hours at the UniRoyal Plant since the calling of the strike.

To June 2, these overtime hours have cost the borough $4,673.24. The Police Department is keeping detailed financial reports for periodic presentation to the Board of Finance.

Waterbury’s Welfare Department estimated yesterday that the UniRoyal strike may cost the city $20,000 in gross benefits.

Of 140 striking families that have applied there for welfare, only 10 are presently receiving aid. Others were denied because they have other income or assets.

The Waterbury Welfare Superintendent said that if the strike is prolonged for any length of time, the number of people eligible for welfare assistance could reach 1,000 in the city.

60-Cent-An-Hour

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60-Cent-An-Hour 6-7-67

Continued From Page 1

ing made.

Contention most likely will develop over the companies’ continued plan for pay boost differentials between tire and non-tire employes. This is what George Froehlich, president of Local 45, explained at the meeting he held for the Local’s membership in the borough.

The length of the contract and the guaranteed annual wage provisions will also probably be a stumbling block. A pay boost differential has been contained in each of the last three wage contracts, though the margin was narrowed in the 1965 agreement. Bommarito has labeled the differentials as discriminatory.

The proposals have activated the negotiation sessions which had grown stale. Membership of the three borough Locals were becoming depressed and fortifying themselves for a long drawn-out strike when no apparent progress was reported.

Union members have been collecting a $25 a week check; however, the amount is scheduled to be decreased to $15 per week as the union treasury is being drained with the seven week strike involving some 55,000 members.

Rubber Strike 60-Cent-An-Hour, 3-Year Pact Offer Submitted To URW

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Rubber Strike

6-7-67

60-Cent-An-Hour, 3-Year Pact Offer Submitted To URW

The five major rubber companies have offered a single package wage, pension and welfare proposal estimated to cost more than 60 cents an hour over a three year period to the United Rubber Workers Union, it was reported today.

A breakdown of the proposal shows the contract will call for a pay boost of 38 cents an hour for tire workers and 31 cents for none-tire workers. This offer is being studied by URW negotiators.

A settlement of the 47-day old strike, if it comes, is considered unlikely before tomorrow.

The contract-renewal plan, lumping together for the first time in the industry pension and welfare benefits with wage increases, was proposed by Uni-Royal, Goodyear and Firestone Monday. Goodrich and General Tire joined the move yesterday.

Present three-year pension and welfare contracts aren’t due to expire until September. But the proximity of the two rounds of negotiations was said to be blocking a wage agreement alone. Evidence increased last week, however, that the union had become less adamant about keeping the two contracts separate.

A three-year contract as proposed by the companies, rather than a two-year offer, might still be an obstacle to an early settlement.

The proposed pay boosts for tire workers would break down to 16 cents an hour the first year with 11 cent increases in each of the two succeeding years. Other production workers (this is of interest locally) pay rates would be raised 13 cents the first year and nine

cents each of the two following years.

The proposed package, including pension and welfare benefits, would amount to an hourly increase of about five per cent.

Peter Bommarito, president of the International URW, rejected a previous proposal which would boost the pay rate of tire workers 23-1/2 cents an hour and non-tire workers 18 cents an hour over two years. He termed this boost as inadequate and only about 2-1/2 per cent.

Under the new proposal, the companies would lift the pension payments, both for new and retired to $5.25 a month each year of service, and increase of $2 from the present $3.25. Improvements are also included for insurance and vacations as well as broader pay-boost differentials for skilled trandesmen workers who perform maintenance tasks on rubber goods production equipment. This had been a key issue in the URW contract demands.

Further liberalization is also included in the contract proposal for supplementary unemployment benefit payments. The amount wasn’t disclosed, but it is understood that it fell short of the URW bid.

Talks between the union and companies negotiating teams, will be recessed today so that the package can be studied and to permit union officers to attend the funeral of Garnet L. Patterson, URW general counsel, who died Saturday. It is doubtful, however, that the proposal will be accepted without several counter proposals be-

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Rubber Firms Offer Striking Union a Pact Combining Pay, Pension, Welfare Benefits

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6-7-67

Rubber Firms Offer Striking Union a Pact Combining Pay, Pension, Welfare Benefits

By a WALL STREET JOURNAL Staff Reporter

AKRON—A single-package wage, pension and welfare proposal estimated to cost more than 60 cents an hours over three years was received by the United Rubber Workers Union from the five major rubber companies.

The contract proposal, calling for pay boosts tataling 38 cents an hour for tire workers and 31 cents an hour for nontier workers, is being studied by URW negotiators. A settlement of the 47-day strike against three of the concerns, if it comes, is considered unlikely before tomorrow. Acceptance of the proposal would almost surely be followed by price boosts on tires and other rubber products.

The contract-renewal plan, lumping together for the first time in the industry pension and welfare benefits with wage increases was proposed by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. and Uniroyal Inc. Monday. B. F. Goodrich Co. and General Tire & Rubber Co. joined the move yesterday.

Strike Began April 21

About 51,000 URW members have been on strike since April 21 against Firestone, Uniroyal and Goodrich, following expiration of a two-year wage contract. Production has continued, however, at Goodyear’s plants, whose contract also expired April 20, and at two General Tire plants, where contracts ran out May 15.

Present three-year pension and welfare contracts aren’t due to expire until September. But the time proximity of the two rounds of negotiations was said to be a block to a wage agreement alone. Evidence increased last week, however, that the union had become less adamant about keeping the two contracts separate.

A three-year contract, as proposed by the companies, rather than a two-year offer, might still be an obstacle to an early settlement.

The proposed pay boosts for tire workers would break down to 16 cents an hour the first year with 11 cent increases in each of the two succeeding years. For other production workers, pay rates would be lifted 13 cents in the first year and 9 cents in each of the two following years.

Average hourly wages of tire workers is about $3.69 and those of other production workers about $2.68. The proposed package, including pension and welfare benefits, would amount to an hourly cost increase of about 5%.

Previous Offer Rejected

An ealier proposal covering only wages was made by Goodrich, Uniroyal and Firestone prior to the strike it called for tire-worker pay boosts of 23½ cents an hour and increases for other workers of 18 cents an hour over two years. Peter Bommarito, URW international president, put these boosts at 2½% and termed them inadequate.

Under the new proposal, the companies would lift pension payments, both for new and present retirees, to $5.25 month for each year of service, an increase of $2 from the present $3.25. Improvements are also included for insurance and vacations as well as broader pay-boost differentials for skilled tradesmen—workers who perform maintenance tasks on rubber goods-production equipment. This had been a key issue in the URW contract demands.

Further liberlization is also included in the contract proposal for supplementary unemployment benefit payments, another basic issue in the union’s demands. The amount wasn’t disclosed, but it is understood that it fell short of the URW bid. This demand was an integral part of the union’s “full employment” program for gaining a form of guaranteed annual wage. The union sought to raise supplementary payments sufficiently to provide laid-off workers 95% of their normal straight-time pay. Present payments provide for up to 65% off such pay.

50 Members of Bucciaglìa Family Honor 100-Year-Old Patriarch

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50 Members of Bucciaglia Family Honor 100-Year-Old Patriarch

By BRIAN R. CARTER
Of the Telegram Staff

The Bucciaglia family paid a very special type of homage to their patriarch yesterday.

Fifty members of the clan turned out in true festival regalia to celebrate the 100th birthday of the family’s oldest member, Joseph Bucciaglia.

A native of Sparinze, Italy, new centenarian Bucciaglia presided over the afternoon affair, danced his favorite Italian folk dances, smoked his special Italian cigars and imbibed in his favorite spirits, good Italian wine.

Surrounded by relatives at the Olympia Club in Shrewsbury, Bucciaglia, accompanied by the Bill Storey

Long-Lived Family

Longevity seems to run in the Bucciaglia family. Joseph’s brother, who died several years ago, lived to celebrate his 95th birthday. Bucciaglia’s wife, Virginia (Capuano) Bucciaglia, died in 1956.

A keen man still, Bucciaglia came to Worcester in 1898 and vividly remembers the assassinations of President McKinley in 1899 and President Kennedy. President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed on Bucciaglia’s birthday nine years ago.

In addition to his work with the city’s Parks Department, Bucciaglia worked as a laborer for the former Hatch and Barnes Lumber Co. on Union Street many years ago.

trio, even sang one of his favorite Italian songs, “O Marie.”

The spright, mustachioed Bucciaglia, who worked for the Worcester Parks Department for many years, still delights in planting and cultivating flowers. He putters in a small garden at his home at 12 Shamrock St. where he lives with his daughter, Mrs. Emil Dumas.

The birthday party yesterday came a few days late. His birthday was Nov. 22 and he received special citations on that day from the state House of Representatives and the Office of Social Security.

Always active, according to family members, Bucciaglia still delights in a daily constitutional around the family yard followed by a few glasses of wine.

“I’m sure he can walk further than I could,” says son Anthony, “and he’s never been sick a day. He doesn’t know what the inside of a hospital looks like.”

A slight five feet tall, Bucciaglia mowed his own lawn until about 15 years ago. Fifteen years seems like a long time, but he was 85 then.

Telegram Photo by MITCHELL C. ABOU-ADAL

Joseph Bucciaglia, seated behind his birthday cake, applauds after being treated to a birthday song by his relatives at a party yesterday to celebrate his 100h birthday.

Bucciaglias Mark 50th Anniversary

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Newspaper Clipping

Bucciaglias Mark 50th Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
27 Shamrock street,
their 50th wedding a
yesterday with an ope
their home. Eighteen g
attended a dinner at the
Diner.

Mr. and Mrs. Bucciag
married in Naples, Italy,
lived in Worcester 47 y
was employed at Hatch &
before his retirement.

They have four childre
thony and Albert; Josephi
of Frank Sisti, and Ann, w
Emil Dumas, and seven g
children, all of Worcester.
terday was also the birthd
one of the grandchildren, S
Ann Sisti, who was 13.

Mr. and Mrs. Bucciaglia
ceived flowers and a purse.

CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bucciaglia, 27 Shamrock street, who
observed their 50th wedding anniversary yesterday.

Handwritten Note (Pink Post-it):

Add
– correct details
– “FaFa”
– when I was
ten he told me
the story even
though couldn’t
spk English

Bucciaglias Mark 50th, Anniversary

by

Bucciaglias Mark 50th Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bucciaglia, 27 Shamrock street, observed their 50th wedding anniversary yesterday with an open house at their home. Eighteen guests also attended a dinner at the Parkway Diner.

Mr. and Mrs. Bucciaglia were married in Naples, Italy, and have lived in Worcester 47 years. He was employed at Hatch & Barnes before his retirement.

They have four children, Anthony and Albert; Josephine, wife of Frank Sisti, and Ann, wife of Emil Dumas, and seven grandchildren, all of Worcester. Yesterday was also the birthday of one of the grandchildren, Shirley Ann Sisti, who was 13.

Mr. and Mrs. Bucciaglia received flowers and a purse.

CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bucciaglia, 27 Shamrock street, who observed their 50th wedding anniversary yesterday.

G. Bucciaglia, Native of Italy, Dies at Age 101

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Giuseppe Bucciaglia

G. Bucciaglia, Native of Italy, Dies at Age 101

Giuseppe Bucciaglia, 101, of 27 Shamrock St., died yesterday in Doctors Hospital after an illness of a few weeks.

His wife, Vincenza (Capuno) Bucciaglia, died in 1956.

He arrived in Worcester in 1898, coming from his native Sparanese in the Province of Caserta in Italy. He worked for the Worcester Parks Department for many years, and was last employed as a laborer for the former Hatch & Barnes Co., retiring 36 years ago.

Spright until just before his death, Mr. Bucciaglia danced and sang with 50 relatives at a 100th birthday.

He had lived through the assassinations of two presidents, William McKinley and John F. Kennedy. McKinley was shot in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1901, and Kennedy was killed on Mr. Bucciaglia’s birthday 11 years ago.

He leaves two sons, Anthony A. and Albert J. Bucciaglia, both of Worcester; two daughters, Anna, wife of Emile Dumas, with whom he lived, and Josephine, wife of Frank Sisti, both of Worcester; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was born in Sparanese, son of Salvatore and Concetta (Ranucci) Bucciaglia, and lived in New York three years before moving to Worcester.

The funeral will be held Tuesday from Arthur S. Manzi & Son Funeral Home, 179 Shrewsbury St., with a Mass at 9 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry St. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.

Calling hours at the funeral home are 7 to 9 tonight and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. The family requests that flowers be omitted.

Bucciaglias Mar 50th Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bucci 27 Shamrock street,

by

This image appears to be a vintage family portrait photograph from approximately the 1980s, based on the styling, clothing, and photo quality. It shows three young people – a teenage girl standing in the back wearing a burgundy/maroon V-neck sweater over a white collared shirt, and two younger boys seated in front of her. The boy on the left wears large glasses and a tan/beige button-up shirt with a plaid collar visible underneath, while the boy on the right wears a light purple/lavender button-up shirt.

There is no text content to extract from this image – it is a photograph without any visible text, captions, headlines, or written elements.

Five Top Rubber Firms Agree to Share Cost If Any of Them Is Hit by a Work Stoppage

by

4/11/67

Five Top Rubber Firms Agree to Share Cost If Any of Them Is Hit by a Work Stoppage

◇

By a WALL STREET JOURNAL Staff Reporter

AKRON — The rubber industry’s five top tire producers disclosed they have joined in a mutual assistance agreement whereby any of them hit by a labor work stoppage will receive “substantial” financial assistance from the others.

The companies are Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Uniroyal Inc., B.F. Goodrich Co., and General Tire & Rubber Co.

Goodyear, Firestone, Uniroyal and Goodrich are in negotiations with the United Rubber Workers Union on contracts to replace the present pacts expiring April 20. General Tire is scheduled to begin negotiations April 17 on a new contract replacing the one expiring May 15. About 75,000 United Rubber Workers members are employed by the five companies.

Details of the “strike cost insurance” accord weren’t disclosed. It is understood that other rubber companies in the industry were invited to participate but only the five large concerns signed the agreement.

Peter Bommarito, international president of the United Rubber Workers, said he had no immediate comment on the companies’ agreement, but he indicated he might have a statement later. The union and the several companies in negotiations have followed their traditional policy of no public discussions on the progress of the talks.

The mutual assistance accord among the five companies was termed a “private” agreement; that is, no insurance underwriter or outside party is involved. Any benefits accruing to any of the five experiencing a labor work stoppage, it is understood, would be based on a specific formula worked out by the companies.

The formula or the basis on which benefits would be computed wasn’t disclosed. The benefits, however, would be aimed at assisting a struck company to defray certain fixed costs, with possibly certain other continuing charges, and wouldn’t reimburse the struck concern with any revenues or profits, it was noted.

An integral part of the agreement also provides that it doesn’t prohibit any of the five concerns from continuing negotiations with the union independently from the others or any reaching a separate contract satisfactory to itself, the companies said.

The mutual assistance agreement, while representing a “first” among rubber companies, has precedents in other industries. Seven commercial airlines have such an agreement. A group of railroads in 1959 inaugurated a similar but more complicated insurance plan under which participating roads would pay into an insurance pool only in the event that a limited percentage of the industry was hit by a strike.

Members of the American Newspaper Publishers Association can obtain strike insurance through an ANPA agreement with a Bermuda-based insurance company.

The current contract negotiations are taking place in three Ohio cities. Goodyear and Uniroyal are having their talks with the United Rubber Workers in Cincinnati, while Firestone is negotiating in Cleveland and B. F. Goodrich in Columbus.

In addition to “substantial” wage increases, the union is seeking adoption of a “full employment” program built on supplemental benefit payments in effect in the industry and increasing the companies’ supplemental benefit payments to 7 cents from 5 cents an hour per worker.

As proposed, the plan would lift to 92½% from the present 65% of weekly straight-time pay the benefits to be received by a laid-off worker, including state unemployment compensation. If the laid-off worker isn’t eligible for state compensation the benefit pay would be 95% of weekly straight-time pay,

Union Says Tire Firms’ Strike-Aid Pact Creates ‘Doubt’ on Good Faith

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Union Says Tire Firms’ Strike-Aid Pact Creates ‘Doubt’ on Good Faith

4/12/67

By a WALL STREET JOURNAL Staff Reporter

AKRON — Peter Bommarito, international president of the United Rubber Workers Union, said disclosure this week by the five major rubber companies of a mutual assistance to share costs if any of them is struck creates a doubt about their good faith.”

Four of the concerns, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Uniroyal Inc. and B. F. Goodrich Co., now are in contract renewal negotiations with the union. Present contracts expire April 20. General Tire & Rubber Co. begins talks with the union later this month to renew a contract expiring May 15.

“The Big Five rubber companies have a far greater responsibility to the public and to their employes than they have to each other,” he contended. “After all, the Big Five are supposed to be competitors with each other.”

The rubber companies’ mutual assistance agreement was signed April 1, prior to start of contract negotiations. Mr. Bommarito said the union “is determined to continue its efforts to reach a realistic and reasonable settlement through honest and sincere collective barbaining.”

The rubber companies’ agreement provides that should any of the five be hit by a work stoppage it would receive “substantial” financial assistance from the others, primarily covering fixed operating costs.

By a WALL STREET JOURNAL Staff Reporter

AKRON — Production at the General Tire & Rubber Co. Akron plant was closed down by a walkout of 60 workers in the mill room, causing the idling of some 1,800 employes.

The mill room workers, members of Local 9 of the United Rubber Workers Union, left their jobs Monday in a dispute over relief time. Closedown of the mill room, where rubber and chemicals are mixed for production of finished products, principally tires, caused the idling of other production workers, a company spokesman said.

Officers of the local are urging the striking members to return to their jobs, but the dispute remained unresolved yesterday.

Union, Uniroyal Talks Continuing In Cincinnati

by

rbury American, Tuesday, April 18, 1967

Naugatuck

4-18-67

Union, Uniroyal Talks Continuing In Cincinnati

NAUGATUCK—Less than three days remain before the contract between the United Rubber Workers of America and Uniroyal, Inc., expires at midnight Thursday.

After that date the union may

Naugatuck Valley

call a general strike against the company’s various plants throughout the country, including the local Footwear Plant, the Naugatuck Chemical Co. division, and the Synthetic Rubber Plant.

Company and union negotiators are in their sixth week of talks in Cincinnati, Ohio, and as the deadline approaches the talks are being intensified in an effort to ward off a strike. It was learned that negotiations had recessed last Thursday and resumed Saturday.

Raymond Mengacci, vice president of Local 45, Footwear Plant, declined to comment on progress of the talks, but said a call had been received from Local 45 Pres. George Froehlich Monday from Ohio, reporting that the negotiations are still in process.

An agreement had been made between the company and union negotiators that no information about the talks will be released before the talks end.

Several weeks ago union employees of the Chemical Division, the Synthetic Plant and last week the Footwear Plant, representing approximately 6,000 workers in the three locals, took an affirmative strike vote, authorizing the International Policy Committee to call a strike if the talks are stalemated.

However, if progress is being made by the negotiators when the contract expires, the contract may be extended in the hope that an agreement can be reached without a strike.

One of the issues being discussed, it was learned besides additional benefits, is a guaranteed annual income for all employes of the nation’s big rubber companies.

Uniroyal, Union Talks; No Agreement As Yet

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Uniroyal, Union Talk; No Agreement As Yet

4-19-67

NAUGATUCK—With only two days remaining before the contract between the United Rubber Workers of America and Uniroyal, Inc. expires, the possibility of a general strike against the company’s various plants, including the three local operations, increases. The present contract expires at midnight Thursday.

Company and union negotiators are in their sixth week of talks in Cincinnati, Ohio, and as the deadline approaches the talks are being intensified in an effort to ward off a strike. It was learned that negotiations had recessed last Thursday and resumed Saturday.

Raymond Mengacci, vice president of Local 45, Footwear Plant, declined to comment on progress of the talks, but said a call had been received from Local 45 Pres. George Froehlich Monday from Ohio, reporting that the negotiations are still in process.

An agreement had been made between the company and union negotiators that no information about the talks will be released before the talks end.

Several weeks ago union employes of the Chemical Division, the Synthetic Plant and last week the Footwear Plant, representing approximately 6,000 workers in the three locals, took an affirmative strike vote, authorizing the International Policy Committee to call a strike if the talks are stalemated.

However, if progress is being made by the negotiators when the contract expires, the con-

tract may be extended in the hope that an agreement can be reached without a strike.

One of the issues being discussed, it was learned besides additional benefits, is a guaranteed annual income for all employes of the nation’s big rubber companies.

Uniroyal, Union Resume Contract Talks Today

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Deadline Near

4-20-67 [handwritten]

Uniroyal, Union Resume Contract Talks Today

NAUGATUCK — Although only hours remain before a two-year-old master contract expires between Uniroyal, Inc., and the United Rubber Workers (AFL-CIO), both union and management spokesmen seem to maintain an air of extreme calm.

At press time Wednesday night talks between the two groups were continuing without the slightest hint of difficulty from spokesmen of both sides, although the present contract is due to expire at midnight tonight.

Representatives from the two sides were reluctant to answer any questions, as both had agreed not to release any information unless there was a joint effort to do so.

It was rumored from unofficial sources, however, that strike placards were ready in the event of a breakdown in the negotiations.

At the same time, as further evidence of calm, at least on the surface, it was claimed that both labor and management at the three local plants had discussed what would have to be done should a shutdown occur.

John D. Evans, factory manager at the company’s chemical complex, said that no special preparations were being made, and said that if a strike were called, the local operation could shut down in a very short time.

He said that no start had been made to quiet any operations at the Naugatuck factories.

Contacted in Cincinnati, Ohio, where negotiations between the two groups are being held, George Froelich, president of Local 45, cited the agreement between the company and the rubber workers not to divulge any information.

Edward Alves, president of Local, 308, cited the same agreement, stating only that the negotiations were still in progress. He declined to say whether the two groups were close to agreement.

Talks had apprently recessed for the evening at press time, as one spokesman said they “will resume at 9 a.m.” today.

A strike decision, said one union spokesman, would not be made until midnight, at which time a joint statement would be released. Although neither side would indicate Wednesday how

close they were to agreement, an extension of the present contract could be in order if the two groups are close to agreement at tonight’s deadline.

If a strike is called, however, some 5,000 employes in the corporation’s three local plants would be affected.

Negotiations for a master contract between the rubber industry’s four largest employers and the United Rubber Workers began a month ago. In total, over 71,000 workers, including 22,000 from Uniroyal plants across the country, will be covered by the contracts.

Once the master contract is settled, negotiations for secondary contracts, affecting only local operations, will begin.

Officials Mum On Rubber Talks

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Officials Mum On Rubber Talks

4-20-67 [handwritten]

AKRON, Ohio (UPI) — Negotiations continued today between the nation’s four major rubber companies and the United Rubber Workers Union URW on a new contract to replace the pact expriring at midnight tonight.

Both sides refuse to comment on any progress in the talks which would affect some 78,000 workers. The outcome of the talks would influence General Tire’s contract expiring May 15 and a number of smaller firms having a total of 100,000 workers.

The four companies negotiating contracts at present are Goodyear, UniRoyal, Firestone and Goodrich.

The rubber industry has been hit by only two major strikes since 1947. The largest one was several years ago when a walkout lasted for 51 days. The last company-wide strike affecting a major rubber firm was a six-day walkout against UniRoyal in 1965.

The new president of the 175,000-member URW, Peter Bommarito, contends he does not want to strike but since taking office last September, he has given the URW a more militant appearance, visiting locals around the country and taking a personal hand in negotiations.

His militancy has caused the big five companies to form a mutual aid pact for the first time in their history. The plan calls for providing substantial financial aid to any member hit by a strike.

Goodyear and UniRoyal negotiations are being held at Cincinnati while Firestone’s contract is being discussed in Cleveland and Goodrich at Columbus.

UniRoyal Net Profits Down 2.1 Per Cent

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UniRoyal Net Profits Down 2.1 Per Cent

4-20-67 [handwritten]

Net profit of UniRoyal, Inc. declined 2.1 per cent on 1.0 per cent lower sales in the first quarter of 1967, George R. Vila, chairman and president, reported at the company’s annual meeting.

Net profit for the first three months came to $9,549,000, equivalent to 67 cents a share of common stock, compared with $9,752,000, or 69 cents a share in the same period in 1966.

Sales totaled $315,587,000 for the three-month period, compared with $318,886,000 a year ago.

Vila attributed the decline, which started in the latter part of 1966, to higher labor costs, lower automobile assemblies, lower housing starts, higher interest rates and a general leveling off of the economy, particularly in the U.S.A., Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Nearly a quarter of UniRoyal’s output finds its way into new automotive production and about 10 per cent is involved in such home furnishings as carpet yarns, latex carpet backings, Naugahyde upholstery material, foam rubber and plastic compounds for appliances and structural parts, he pointed out.

He indicated that the company’s outlook for the remainder of 1967 was uncertain and depended on trends in automotive and housing industries and economic condition generally at home and abroad.

Referring to the expiration of UniRoyal’s labor contract with the United Rubber Workers Union at midnight tonight, Vila said, “We have high hopes of concluding a mutually satisfac-

Please Turn to Page 12

quarter-mile.

UniRoyal Net

Continued from page 1

tory agreement.”

“Looking toward the longer range future,” he said, “We believe there is ample reason to be optimistic. Among the 12 top growth industries for the period up to 1980, industrial chemicals are listed in the number one position and rubber and plastic products in the number two position. These are areas where we are well placed with excellent products.

“In addition, we have a battery of new products now coming on the market which should enhance our growth in sales and profitability as the years unfold.

“By 1970 or sooner, sales should have passed the $1.5-billion-mark and by 1975 we should be beyond the $2-billion-barrier, with profitability well in advance of our current ratios,” he said.

Uniroyal, Union Still Negotiating As Midnight Strike Deadline Nears

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4-20-67

Uniroyal, Union Still Negotiating As Midnight Strike Deadline Nears

NAUGATUCK—Both management and union spokesmen are maintaining an air of calmness although only hours remain before the two-year-old master contract expires between Uniroyal, Inc. and the United Rubber Workers (AFL-CIO) at midnight tonight.

Talks betwen the two groups are continuing today without the slightest hint of difficulty, it was reported by spokesmen from both sides.

Current contract talks do not involve wages, with increases negotiated a year ago. Talks at present relate to fringe benefits and working conditions.

Representatives from the two sides were reluctant to answer any questions, as both had agreed not to release any information unless there was a joint effort to do so.

It was rumored from unofficial sources, however, that strike placards were ready in the event of a breakdown in the negotiations.

At the same time, as further evidence of calm, at least on the surface, it was claimed that both labor and management at the three local plants had discussed what would have to be done should a shutdown occur.

John D. Evans, factory manager at the company’s chemical complex, said that no special preparations were being made, and said that if a strike were called, the local operation could shut down in a very short time.

He said that no start had been made to quiet any operations at the Naugatuck factories.

Contacted in Cincinnati, Ohio, where negotiations between the two groups are being held, George Froelich, president of Local 45, cited the agreement between the company and the rubber workers not to divulge any information.

Edward Alves, president of Local, 308, cited the same agreement, stating only that the negotiations were still in progress. He declined to say whether the two groups were close to agreement.

A strike decision, said one union spokesman, would not be made until midnight, at which time a joint statement would be released. Although neither side would indicate Wednesday how close they were to agreement, an extension of the present contract could be in order if the two groups are close to agreement at tonight’s deadline.

If a strike is called, however, some 5,000 employes in the corporation’s three local plants would be affected.

Negotiations for a master contract between the rubber industry’s four largest employers and the United Rubber Workers began a month ago. In total, over 71,000 workers, including 22,000 from Uniroyal plants across the country, will be covered by the contracts.

Once the master contract is settled, negotiations for secondary contracts, affecting only local operations, will begin.

Naugatuck Rubber Workers Join Nation-Wide Strike

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Naugatuck Rubber Workers Join Nation-Wide Strike

4-21-67 [handwritten]

About 5,500 members of the United Rubber Workers struck the UniRoyal plant at Naugatuck as part of a nation-wide strike against three of the Big Four rubber companies. Contracts expired at midnight.

More than 50,000 union jobs were affected by the action — the first comapny – wide strike since 1965 when the rubber workers manned picket lines against the U.S. Rubber Co., now UniRoyal.

The companies affected are Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., B. F. Goodrich Co. and Uni-Royal.

The Sponge Products Division of B. F. Goodrich in Shelton is not affected. Employes are not covered by union contract.

Shortly after midnight the three locals at Naugatuck set up about 15 pickets at gates of the company’s three divisions —footwear, chemical and synthetic. The locals said the pickets would continue through today and then daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until a contract agreement is reached.

Word of the breakdown in Firestone negotiations came at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday. The Goodrich strike was announced shortly after midnight, and Uniroyal was struck a few minutes later.

Picket lines across the coun-

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 11

Strike—

Continued from Page 1

try were manned, according to a URW spokesman, while negotiations continued with Goodrich early today.

The union said Firestone officials were willing to renew negotiations today, but a company spokesman had no comment on the statement.

No talks were planned in the Uniroyal dispute.

Negotiators for about 21,250 workers at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. voted to continue work on a day-to-day basis. Sessions were scheduled to resume with Goodyear at 10 a.m. today.

The four rubber companies and the General Tire and Rubber Co. agreed, effective April 1, that they would give mutual aid to any one of the five struck by the rubber workers.

General’s contract expires May 15. Negotiations got under way Monday in Cleveland.

The union continued its joint policy with the rubber industry of not releasing details of negotiations until bargaining is completed.

When negotiations began last month, however, the rubber workers said its goals included a “substantial wage increase,” plus increases in skilled trades rates, elimination of “unwarranted wage differentials” and a “full employment earnings program.”

The earnings program as outlined by the union would boost benefits for laid-off workers to 92½ per cent of regular pay.

The union said the program could be financed by raising the employer’s contribution from the present five cents to seven cents an hour per worker.

The supplemental unemployment benefits now pay up to 65 per cent of the laid-off worker’s regular pay for 26 weeks, union researchers estimate.

Present wages range from $3.25 to $3.35 an hour for semi-skilled or unskilled labor. A URW spokesman said recent U.S. government reports indicate the tire and tube division employes, considered the highest paid in the industry, make about $3.67 an hour.

UniRoyal Struck

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UniRoyal Struck

Continued from page 1

plants represented by the United Rubber Workers of America went on strike shortly after midnight when the company and the union failed to reach agreement on a new contract covering wages and employee benefits.

“No time has been set for resumption of the negotiations.

“The company stated it had offered to continue the contract on a day-to-day basis with the plants in operation, which it felt would be in the best interest of its employees and customers. The union declined this offer.

“The Company announced it had offered a substantial increase in wages and various improvements in employee benefits.

“The strike does not affect employees at other plants of the company not represented by the URW.”

This morning, downtown Naugatuck has assumed a holiday cloak. A small number of pickets are stationed at each gate with no incidents reported.

UniRoyal workers not knowing what to do with their leisure time and anxious for news of the strike are driving around the downtown areas or simply standing near the gates watching the pickets.

Police Chief Frank Mariano reported this morning that Captain Joseph Summa is in charge of the men on special strike assignments. Summa reported he has posted one policeman at each gate of the striking plants with a total of 10 men pressed into extra duty.

Summa also has a motor patrol checking on strike activity. The policemen are equipped with radios to keep headquarters posted on conditions, although no trouble is anticipated.

Local 45 union headquarters said this morning it has pickets at every gate. About six pickets are assigned to each gate. Picketers are allowing white collar workers to cross the lines as well as doctors and nurses and anyone in need of emergency treatment.

The Local also reported everything was orderly this

morning, no production workers attempted to cross the lines and the company made no attempt to bring trucks in or out of the plants.

Both the union and company are eager to keep the strike quiet and each is being cautious so not to step on the others’ toes.

Reliable sources report that the tire division of UniRoyal is most dissatisfied with the conditions of the contract being offered by the company.

Goodyear has received an agreement from the union to continue working on a day-to-day basis. Negotiations were to begin at 10 this morning.

The fifth of the big five rubber firms, General Tire, began negotiations Tuesday under a May 15 deadline. Contracts signed with the big firms are generally used as a basis for negotiations with smaller firms.

[Left column]

“A strike will be bad for Naugatuck. People won’t buy.” A wife and mother whose husband works for UniRoyal, “Of course I don’t want a strike. It’s okay for a week, but no longer.”

It is obvious that the strike was anticipated by most local residents. One can only hope that it will be settled quickly to every one’s satisfaction.

UniRoyal this morning issued the following statement on the strike:

“Approximately 22,000 employees of UniRoyal, Inc. at 19

Please Turn to Page 12

Chance Of Rubber Industry, Union Accord Before Monday Dim

by

Contrasting Attitudes

PICKETS at the Maple St. gate of the Footwear Division, Uniroyal, Inc., in Naugatuck, do their duty early today as a borough street sweeper does his, apparently unconcerned as to what happens on the sidewalk behind him.—Coviello Photo.

Chance Of Rubber Industry, Union Accord Before Monday Dim

NAUGATUCK— Representatives of the United Rubber Workers Union met in Cincinnati, Ohio, at 10 a.m. today, and the possibility grew stronger that there will be no further talks with representatives of Uniroyal, Inc. until Monday morning.

This will extend the walkout of some 5,000 members of the three local unions over the weekend. The strike began shortly after midnight today, when talks failed in Cincinnati

Pickets were set up at the Maple St. gate and warehouse office entrances by Local 45 at the Footwear Plant and at one gate each at the Chemical Division and Synthetic Plants.

Picketing was peaceful this morning and all three locals were permitting management personnel to pass through the lines.

Throughout the early morning hours today, pickets were also peaceful as third shift personnel manned their posts in 40-degree temperature. Teams are scheduled to picket in two-hour shifts.

Labor and management representatives from the giant URW and four major rubber producers have been negotiating terms for a new two-year master contract for one month.

Although it was not known what obstacles prevented a settlement by midnight Thursday, three of the four major producers, B. F. Goodrich, Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. and Uniroyal, were struck at midnight or shortly after.

In negotiations with Goodyear in Cincinnati, the union agreed to continue negotiating on a day-to-day basis, with the first session scheduled for 10 a.m. this morning.

Across the nation some 75,000 workers are affected by the negotiations, with approximately 21,000 employed by Uniroyal

As the contract deadline drew near Thursday night, a call from the local presidents in Cincinnati asked the locals—45, 218 and 308—to hold strike action for one-half-hour to permit management to present its final proposal

Handwritten note (top right corner): 4-2-67

Rubber

by

Rubber

(Continued from Page One)

contracts for 108,000 workers or 60 per cent of the union’s membership will be negotiated this year.

A union spokesman said both hourly and piecework employes were involved in the negotiations.

The rubber industry has had only two major strikes since 1947 the longest in 1959 lasted 51 days.

Firestone employs a total of 17,500 at 11 plants in Ohio, California, Tennessee, Indiana, Massachusetts, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Goodrich has 10,000 workers at nine plants in Ohio, California, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Alabama, New Jersey and Indiana.

As the half-hour passed, phones in local headquarters rang incessantly with calls from workers wanting to know what action to take. At about 12:30 a.m., the final call to strike came in and pickets took up their posts following an orderly shutdown of machinery.

Uniroyal has 19 plants in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Rhode Island, Michigan, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio and Alabama.

Union representatives had met with Goodyear and Uniroyal in Cincinnati, Firestone in Cleveland and B. F. Goodrich in Columbus. There was no immediate word when negotiations other than with Uniroyal and Goodyear would resume.

The fifth firm of the rubber industry’s big five, General Tire and Rubber, began negotiations Tuesday, working toward a May 15 contract deadline. Company and union representatives refused to discuss issues, although wages were said to be the chief matter of dispute. Wages are also an issue in the Uniroyal talks.

A long strike could affect the auto industry and defense production.

The average pay for a worker in the rubber industry is $2.80 an hour. In the tire and tube facilities the pay is $3.76.

Contracts with the big five are generally the basis for negotiations with smaller firms. In all,

(Cont’d on Page 4—RUBBER)

Uniroyal Workers Strike Naugatuck Plants

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Uniroyal Workers

Strike Naugatuck Plants

4-21-67

By TOM NUGENT

NAUGATUCK — Negotiations on a master contract between the United Rubber Workers (AFL-CIO) and Uniroyal, Inc. broke down shortly after midnight Thursday after management presented its final proposal, and pickets took up their positions.

Although the old master contract signed June 7, 1965 expired at midnight, union officials contacted the various locals across the country to withhold strike action until final notice.

The two groups reached a deadlock however when the final proposal was submitted at 12:30 a.m. and a strike was called.

Final word that the negotiations were deadlocked was followed by an orderly shutdown of machinery as the three Naugatuck locals, 308, 45 and 218, set up five picket points around the borough operation.

Each team is scheduled to picket in two-hour shifts throughout the night and starting today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until agreement is reached.

Affected by the strike are approximately 5,000 employes in Naugatuck. Across the country another 17,000 Uniroyal workers are involved. It was not known at press time whether employes in the three other major rubber companies were also on strike.

The strike against Uniroyal was called following a month of negotiations between labor and management groups.

No information was immediately available as to what obstacles stood in the way of a settlement or as to which of the issues have already been settled.

Picket teams from Local 45, largest of the three, are assigned to the Maple St. gate, central warehouse office entrance. The other two locals are picketing one gate each at their respective plants.

Others Strike

AKRON, Ohio (UPI)—The United Rubber Workers struck the B. F. Goodrich Co. and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. at midnight Thursday after negotiations failed to produce a contract agreement.

In negotiations with Goodyear in Cincinnati, the union agreed to continue working on a day-to-day basis. Negotiations were recessed until 10 a.m. Friday.

The strikes against the two firms idled 4,800 workers at Goodrich and 5,500 at Firestone.

The fifth firm in the rubber industry’s big five, General Tire, began negotiations Tuesday under a May 15 deadline.

Some 75,000 workers are directly affected by the negotiations. Contracts signed with the big five are generally used as a basis for negotiations with smaller firms.

Firestone employes involved total 17,500 in 11 plants located in eight states. B. F. Goodrich has 10,000 workers covered by the contract in nine plants. Goodyear employes 21,000 in 11 plants and Uniroyal has 22,000 in 19 facilities.

Naugatuck Rubber Strike Idles 5,000

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4-21-67

Naugatuck Rubber Strike Idles 5,000

By PATRICK KEATING
Register Staff Reporter

NAUGATUCK —A strike, the second in the past two years against Uni-Royal by the United Rubber Workers, AFL-CIO, has closed the company’s three local divisions and idled some 5,000 workers today.

The decision to strike the entire Uni-Royal operation was made early this morning after contract talks between management and the URW’s International Policy Committee broke down when the midnight deadline passed. The old contract between the company and union expired at midnight.

The URW, in addition to striking Uni-Royal, hit two others of the big four of the rubber industry as workers at Firestone and Goodrich were called out. Good year, the other member, is presently negotiating with the union on a day-to-day basis.

Although Goodrich is being struck, the Shelton and Derby plants of the Goodrich Sponge Products Division were not affected by the strike since neither plant is unionized.

It is estimated that over 50,000 union workers are on strike nation-wide. Of this total, Uni-Royal employs 22,000; Firestone, 18,000 and Goodrich, 11,000.

At Chicopee Falls, Mass., 1,600 UniRoyal employes went on strike, led by 500 third shift workers who walked off their jobs. Union spokesmen said pickets would be set up this morning.

At Woonsocket, R. I., 800 UniRoyal employes went on strike and picket lines were established.

Another 700 employes struck the Uni-Royal plant in Providence, R. I., and set up pickets.

At Fall River, Mass., union leaders called a strike by 650 employes of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., and pickets were established.

All 800 employes at the Goodyear plant in Windsor, Vt., were reported on the job today. A company official said they would work on a day-to-day basis while negotiations continued.

Representatives of the three locals involved —Local 45, Footwear Division; Local 208, Synthetic and Local 218, Ch emical —are partipitating in the contract negotiations that have been in progress this past month at Cincinnati, Ohio. Talks are expected to resume today.

Immediately after word was received about the breakdown in talks, preparations were made for establishment of picket lines at the three local plants. Shortly before 1 a.m., the pickets were marching.

Magnagement personnel were permitted this morning to cross the picket lines and assume their duties. No incidents were reported as a pre-strike agreement had been reached concerning the admittance to plants of supervisors, foremen and office employers.

It is not known at this time whether the company will adopt a policy of having supervisory personnel “live in” at the chemical plant. Several years ago when the plant was struck, this procedure was followed and the operation continued with this skeleton crew.

Workers who reported Thursday at 11 p.m. for the regular last shift at the three divisions, walked off the job when notified that the strike was in progress.

Union officials reported that it was an orderly walk-off since the locals and the company had agreed on plans for closing down the operation.

The pickets have been instructed to stop all trucks entering and leaving the plants that might be transporting company products. However, the company will not be affected by such a stoppage as merchandise for customers had been shipped by rail and truck in excessive amount during the past two weeks.

The strike does not come as a surprise to most union members here. They had been alerted to such a possibility for the past week as news out of Cincinnati indicated that the negotiators were not making any headway.

“However, there was a faint hope expressed late Thursday that an extension of the talks might be granted.

Two years ago, the walkout carried through three working days. Another strike eight years ago crippled production for three weeks.

Information that has filtered through from Cincinnati indicates that the company has turned back the first proposals for wage increases, reportedly around 20 cents an hour for pro-

See STRIKE Page 2

‘There’s A

Uniroyal Talks Slated Monday

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Uniroyal Talks Slated Monday

4-12-67 [handwritten]

NAUGATUCK—The first day of picketing by the three United Rubber Workers’ Naugatuck locals—45, 218 and 308—passed very quietly, with no official reports of disturbances being heard.

Negotiations between Uniroyal and the URW were suspended throughout Friday, with the next session scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday.

As of Friday evening, picketing by Locals 45 and 308 was suspended at 6 p.m. for the weekend, with resumption scheduled at 6 a.m. Monday. Local 218, chemical plant personnel, continued to picket one gate throughout Friday night and is scheduled to continue today until 6 p.m. There will be no picketing Sunday.

The three locals joined other locals of the URW across the country shortly after midnight Thursday in a strike against Uniroyal, Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., and B. F. Goodrich Co. after a month of negotiations failed to produce contract agreements.

The fourth and fifth members of the rubber industry’s “big five”—Goodyear and General Tire and Rubber Co.—were not struck.

Although Goodyear’s contract with the union expired at the same time as the struck firms, negotiations continued in Cincinnati on a day-to-day basis.

Following the strike order from union officials in Cincinnatti, the three borough locals manned their picket points after machinery was shut down.

Third shift personnel in the local operation manned their posts throughout the night keeping spirits fairly high despite nippy temperatures.

Starting at 6 a.m. Friday, picket teams worked in two-hour shifts, permitting management personnel to pass through the lines. Although police stood by, the atmosphere was one of almost extreme calm as the teams talked and marched.

Both union and management negotiators for the struck companies declined to discuss issues, but sources said wages and a guaranteed annual income were the principal matters in dispute.

Uniroyal said management offered “substantial increases in wages and employe benefits” but the offer was rejected.

The average wage for a worker in the rubber industry is $2.80 an hour. Wages in the tire and tube facilities average $3.76 an hour.

Plants idled by the walkout included the world’s largest tire factory, a Uniroyal plant in Detroit which makes more than 10 million tires a year. About 60 per cent of them are sold to auto makers for use on new cars, the Uniroyal spokesman said.

Naugatuck’s Quiet Strike Into 2nd Day

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4-22-67

Naugatuck’s Quiet Strike Into 2nd Day

NAUGATUCK (AP) — Three divisions of employes at the UniRoyal plant here are at a standstill on strike against the company as a national walk-out of United Rubber Workers continues in its second day.

The strike affects the footwear, synthetics and chemical divisions of UniRoyal. Some 5,500 workers, members of locals 45, 218 and 308 are involved.

Although B. F. Goodrich was also struck, the Shelton and Derby plants of the Goodrich Sponge Products Division are not unionized and therefore maintained regular production schedules.

The first day of picketing at Uniroyal passed quietly. No incidents were reported, and management personnel were allowed to enter the plant under a prior arrangement with the union.

Locals 45 and 308 suspended picketing last night for the weekend, and Local 218, chemical plant personnel, was scheduled to picket one gate today until 6 p.m. There will be picketing tomorrow.

There were strikes at Uniroyal formerly the U.S. Rubber Co., two years and eight years ago at Naugatuck. The 1965 strike lasted three days and the 1959 walkout stopped production for three weeks.

Nationally, the strike involves more than 50,000 workers and is the largest to hit the industry since 1959.

The union called its members out against Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., the B.F. Goodrich Co., and Uniroyal, mem-

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7

UniRoyal Strike Situation Quiet

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UniRoyal Strike Situation Quiet

4-22-67

The first day of the United Rubber Workers strike against UniRoyal, closing down the large plants in the borough, passed without incident.

Picketing was conducted in an orderly fashion and the company made no attempt not to honor the lines around the plants. Pickets were stationed at all gates by the three locals of the borough from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. yesterday.

Picketing was suspended last night at 6 p.m. for the weekend and will be resumed Monday at 6 a.m.

All’s quiet in downtown Naugatuck this morning with the air of excitement of the first day gone. The big question today is how long will the strike last.

Negotiators are returning to the borough from Ohio today with talks scheduled to be resumed Wednesday.

The strike order came to the borough from Cincinnati about 12:30 a.m. Friday morning. Within minutes of the announcement by the Union officials of the strike operations for closing down the plants began. White collar workers were allowed to pass through the lines all day yesterday.

The strike call came after weeks of negotiations which failed to produce agreements on a new contract.

Both union and company officials have failed to disclose the issues in a pact that no information will be forthcoming unless released simultaneously. However, rumors persist that the main issues are wages and a guaranteed annual income.

URW workers have struck three of the big five Rubber firms, UniRoyal, Firestone and B.F. Goodrich. Negotiations with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. have continued on a day-to-day basis. However, 500 workers at a Goodyear plant in North Chicago, Ill., walked off the job yesterday forcing the plant to shut down. Work continued at all of the company’s other plants.

The fifth firm, the General Tire & Rubber Co., is negotiating toward a May 15 contract deadline.

Strike

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Strike-

Continued from Page 1

bers of the rubber industry’s Big Four—around midnight Thursday as two-year contracts expired.

Most of the 21,250 rubber workers members employed by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., the other Big Four member, were on the job after union negotiators voted late Thursday to work on a day-to-day basis as bargaining continued.

Goodyear negotiating sessions are to resume at 10 a.m. Monday in Cincinnati where Uniroyal negotiators will meet Wednesday. Firestone sessions will be in Cleveland and Goodrich’s at Columbus.

Contract to Expire

A contract with the nation’s fifth biggest rubber producer, General Tire & Rubber Co., with 3,052 employes, expires May 15. Negotiations are under way in Cleveland.

A mutual aid agreement between General Tire and the Big Four went into effect as the rubber workers put up picket lines across the country, a company spokesman said.

Peter Bommarito, the union’s international president, criticized the mutual-aid agreement under which the two working companies would lend financial assistance to those struck.

The union has shown more militancy since Bommarito became president in September, and observers say apparently it is his full employment earnings program which is a major issue in negotiations.

The program would boost unemployment benefits from 65 to 92½ per cent of regular weekly pay for laid-off workers.

The union also is demanding a “substantial” wage increase, plus improved fringe benefits. Present wages for highest paid workers average $3.67 an hour, according to the union.

Uniroyal Talks Due Wednesday

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Uniroyal Talks Due Wednesday

4-24-67 [handwritten date at top]

NAUGATUCK — Negotiations between the striking United Rubber Workers and Uniroyal, Inc. will resume Wednesday morning in Cincinnati, local union spokesmen reported Sunday night.

Pickets at the three Locals, 45, 218 and 308, are scheduled to resume their strike posts today at 6 a.m. and continue throughout the day in two-hour shifts.

Joseph Rzeszutek, president of URW Local 218, chemical workers, has called meetings of his group today at 2 and 7 p.m. in Union Hall, Curtis St., to report to the local on the contract negotiations he attended last week in Cincinnati.

George Froelich, president of Local 45, will report on negotiations to the local executive committee this morning at 9:30. President of Local 308, Edward Alves, reported he met with his executive committee Saturday evening for a briefing on contract talks.

The three local presidents, along with three additional policy-making members of Local 45, will attend the national URW policy-making session in Cincinnati Tuesday evening in preparation for Wednesday morning’s resumption of negotiations.

Due to its large, over 4,000 membership, Local 45 is allowed three policy-committee members, making it the largest represented group attending the session. The three committee members, John Butler, James Nardello and Lionel Turner, along with Froelich give Local 45 a four-man team, out of a total of 31 national policy committee members.

Contract talks between URW and the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. will resume this morning in Arkon, Ohio, but no negotiations for any of the three strike-bound firms are set before Wednesday.

The strike, which has idled some 50,000 members of the URW, was called at midnight Thursday against the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., and the B.F. Goodrich Co., both of Akron, and Uniroyal, Inc.

The three firms produce half the nation’s rubber products.

The strike spread to one Goodyear plant in North Chicago, Ill., Friday when 500 workers walked off the job, but work continued at other Goodyear plants under the old contract which was extended on a day-to-day basis.

The other member of the industry’s ‘Big Five,’ the General Tire and Rubber Co., is negotiating toward a May 15 contract deadline. In Akron, 1,800 general employes have been idled by a two-week-old wildcat walkout.

Talks will resume Wednesday morning with Firestone in Cleveland, and B. F. Goodrich in Columbus.

Higher wages and a guaranteed minimum wage were the major issues in the negotiations. The union sought payments for laid-off workers amounting to 93 per cent of their regular eranings.

UniRoyal Strike Quiet Here; Negotiations Tomorrow In Ohio

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4-7-67

UniRoyal Strike Quiet Here; Negotiations Tomorrow In Ohio

Picketing at the Chemical Division of UniRoyal has been “stepped-up,” according to an announcement made by officials of Local 218.

They report that pickets will be on duty “24-hours a day, seven-days a week.” Also that members will picket in three-hour shifts.

Local 218 began a buildup of picketing Friday when members decided to picket throughout the night and all day Saturday.

Picketing at the other Uni-Royal plants in the borough continued on a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. basis with members participating in two-hour shifts.

The presidents of the three borough Locals George Froehlich, Local 45; Joseph Rzeszutek, Local 218; and Edward Alves, Local 308; were scheduled to return to Cincinnati today in preparation for resumption of negotiations tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.

No incidents have been reported due to the strike in the borough. Picketing is being conducted in an orderly fashion and the company has honored the picket lines.

The presidents of the Locals returned to the borough over the weekend to inform officials of the unions what transpired at the negotiating sessions. However, no information has been released for publication.

AKRON, Ohio (UPI) — Negotiations with three strikebound rubber firms were scheduled to resume Wednesday while talks continued today between the United Rubber Workers Union (URW), and two other members of the industry’s “big five.”

The Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., B. F. Goodrich and Uni-Royal, Inc., have been closed by a nationwide walkout of 50,000 workers since contract negotiations ended Thursday with no agreement.

Negotiations continued today with the General Tire & Rubber Co. in Cleveland and with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Cincinnati. The contract with General does not expire until May 15. The Goodyear pact expired Thursday, but both sides agreed to continue working on a day-to-day basis.

A wildcat strike in the mill room at the General Tire plant in Akron ended when the URW agreed to send its men back to work tonight. The strike began three weeks ago when 64 workers walked off the job in a dispute over rest periods, forcing shut down of the plant.

Another wildcat strike against the Seiberling Tire & Rubber Co. in Barberton, Ohio, continued to keep 1,000 workers idle. The strike began last Wednesday over a dispute on work rules.

The chief stumbling block to a settlement with the big three struck firms appeared to be union demands for higher pay and a guaranteed minimum wage.

Spokesmen for the auto industry say the strike was not expected to affect new car production for several weeks. Inventories were reported to be sufficient to meet the needs of defense and aerospace production for some time.

340,000 Strike Three Firms In Rubber Union’s Biggest Walkout

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THE WORKER, APRIL 25, 1967 Page 3

Voice of Youth To Be Heard at May Day Rally

THE MAY DAY slogans of ending the war and draft, independence for Puerto Rico and equality for black Americans are bringing youth into participation and planning for the celebration.

A spokesman for the 81st May Day Planning committee announced that Jose Stevens, co-chairman of the New York area Du Bois Clubs will be a speaker. Blyden Jackson, Harlem Communist leader has been designated rally chairman by the committee.

Jackson, in describing the forthcoming event, said “The Jet Set Band is going to entertain. They are great. The band has been playing for young people and is quite popular.”

Speakers for the event will include Mrs. Grace Mora Newman, sister of Dennis Mora, now in prison as one of the “Fort Hood Three” for refusing to fight in Vietnam; Juan Mari Bras, secretary-general of the Puerto Rican Movimiento Pro Independencia, Chris Kearns of the Catholic Worker, Herbert Aptheker, noted historian, and Esther Carroll, trade unionist.

Barbara Dane, folk singer, will also be a featured entertainer.

The May Day celebration will be held at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 1, at Union Square.

340,000 Strike Three Firms In Rubber Union’s Biggest Walkout

THE BIGGEST STRIKE in the 32-year history of the United Rubber Workers idled three of the Big Four tire manufacturers Friday as 340,000 workers walked out with the expiration of their contracts.

Peter Bommarito, president of the 159,000-member union, said prior to the strike that the rubber workers needed more money now “because the cost of living has increased so much in the last year.”

Bommarito cited the fact that productivity has increased and the profits of the tire corporations have skyrocketed.

The companies affected Friday were Firestone Tire and Rubber, B. F. Goodrich and Uni Royal, formerly the United States Rubber Co.

Negotiations with Goodyear were continuing past the deadline on a day-to-day basis but were reported to be shaky.

The union and the General Tire and Rubber Company, the fifth largest tire producer, began talks last week on a contract that expires May 17.

The strike, whose major issues are a substantial wage boost and increased unemployment benefits, was expected to be rough.

The rubber companies have stocked their warehouses with a three-month supply of tires, and union sources have revealed that the companies entered into a financial assistance agreement to aid struck companies in meeting fixed costs.

The strike closed down the three companies’ 39 plants in Ohio and 15 other states. The union has 75,000 members employed by the Big 5.

The union’s wage demand was not specified, but Bommarito said the workers who now receive an average of $3.30 per hour, were fighting to “bring our wages up to the level of our brothers in auto plants.” The average among auto workers is around $3.44, but they, too, are entering negotiations and will also be seeking “substantial” wage increases.

The rubber workers are seeking 2 cents an hour more for their Supplemental Unemployment Benefits. Management now pays 5 cents per hour per worker into the SUB fund, and the worker receives 65 per cent of his salary weekly during layoffs. This figure is SUB combined with unemployment compensation.

The raise would bring the payments to 92½ per cent of the worker’s regular salary. If he was not eligible for state compensation the SUB payments demanded would give him 95 per cent of his salary.

Work conditions are also included in this set of negotiations; pensions will be negotiated in September.

Bommarito indicated the ability of the rubber companies to meet his union’s demands by citing last year’s profits in the industry: Goodyear, $123.9 million; Uni Royal, $46.2 million; Firestone, $48.8 million.

Rubber Strike Negotiations Resume Today

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Rubber Strike

Negotiations Resume Today

4-26-67

For the first time since the United Rubber Workers called its members out on strike shortly after midnight Thursday, negotiations for UniRoyal, Inc., and URW officials will resume talks today in Cincinnati.

While negotiations are conducted in Ohio, peaceful picketing continues in the borough. Capt. Joesph Summa of the local police department is maintaining his special force of policemen at the gates. Due to the orderly picketing, only one officer is assigned to each gate where pickets are stationed.

No official word has been released on the progress of the negotiations. However, it is felt that the major source of disagreement is the union’s demand for a guaranteed annual wage. UniRoyal announced Friday that “a substantial increase in wages and various improvements in employe benefits” offer had been made.

Members of Local 218 of the Naugatuck Chemical may apply at Local headquarters on Curtiss St. today and tomorrow from 1 to 4 p.m. for strike benefits, according to the Local treasurer, Robert McDermott.

Locals 45 and 308 are waiting for the necessary forms to enable its members to apply for benefits. Mrs. Rita Ruggiero, secretary of Local 45, said that they expected them tomorrow or Friday. Local 45, the largest of the three borough Locals, has a membership of 4,500.

AID REFUSED

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against Negroes.

4-26-67

AID REFUSED

NAUGATUCK (AP) —Pickets at the Uniroyal plant were getting wet in Monday’s rainy and snowy weather.

Company officials inside the plant discussed the situation, then offered some rain gear — one of the firm’s products — to the pickets.

But the strikers ignored the move. A union official arrived with a dozen newly purchased umbrellas.

Some 5,500 workers are on

Applications For Strike Benefits Taken

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Applications For Strike Benefits Taken

4-28-67 [handwritten]

United Rubber workers and UniRoyal are continuing negotiation talks in Cincinnati as locals in Naugatuck are announcing schedules for applications to be taken for strike benefits.

Local 45, the largest of the three URW Locals in the borough, began taking applications this morning at 10 a.m., according to an announcement by Rita Ruggiero, secretary and treasurer of the local. The office will be open today for applications from 10 to 12 noon and from 1 to 4 p.m.

Art Calder, treasurer of Local 308, said that his local will maintain the same schedule for taking applications for benefits. Both units will also open their offices at the Portuguese Hall Monday, maintaining the same schedule, enabling members to file for benefits.

Members are urged to bring their social security card with them when making an application. Benefits will be payable the following week.

A union official in Cincinnati said that negotiation meetings are being conducted daily on a day-long basis. The meeting yesterday was in session until 10:45 last night and discussions were scheduled to resume this morning at 9 o’clock.