Frank Mariano

21 Held In New Uniroyal Row Company Asks Picketing Curbs

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5-5-67

Register Photo by Stuart Langer

Fighting breaks out at Maple Street entrance to Uniroyal plant.

21 Held In New Uniroyal Row Company Asks Picketing Curbs

By JAMES FLEMING
Register Staff Reporter

NAUGATUCK — Fighting broke out at the Maple Street plant of Uniroyal for the second day in a row, and 21 employes were arrested. Fifty were arrested Thursday.

It was later learned that Uniroyal will seek a restraining order in Superior Court in Waterbury today in an attempt to limit the union to a maximum of three pickets at each gate.

Brawling began at 6:50 a.m. today when office personnel attempted to cross picket lines. Pickets who had been circling near the entrance massed at the gate when the salaried workers tried to get into the company grounds.

Police struggled with pickets as they attempted to open lanes for the workers, and several fights broke out between the strikers and the police. Seven policemen were needed to subdue one worker, William Battles, 37, of Waterbury, who was charged with breach of peace by assault. He was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury afterward where he was treated and released after complaining of stomach pains.

Lt. George Smith went to St. Mary’s for examination after he told Chief Frank Mariano he had been kicked twice in the groin.

As more office employes arrived, company officials told them to wait on the nearby Naugatuck Green while management and union leaders conferred on allowing them to enter. About 300 employes walked to the Green, about half a block away in small groups.

Tension mounted in front of the plant while small groups of women pickets marched carrying signs hung around their necks and sang improvised songs such as “Go home boys in blue” aimed at the police.

Meanwhile, individual office workers without realizing that the others were waiting on the Green, would try to pass through the gate and would be pushed aside.

One woman screamed at the pickets, “Save your strength; you’ll need it when you go back to work.”

Suddenly, the 300 persons on the Green began returning to the plant spontaneously in a massed group and the strikers began yelling as they saw them approaching. Some 25 policemen —half the total force in Naugatuck—rushed into the street between the two groups along with a Uniroyal official and told the office employes to go back to the Green.

The strikers continued to press forward to meet the office workers until the other group went back to the Green.

About half an hour later, the office workers again moved toward the plant and the strikers came toward them. Raymond

See UNIROYAL Page 2

Arrest 4 At Synthetic Plant

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Arrest 4 At Synthetic Plant

5-31-67 UniRoyal Strike

Arrest 4 At Synthetic Plant

By RUTH NICHOLS

Four members of Local 308, URW, were booked on breach of peace charges this morning as a result on the part of the Local to try to keep management personnel from entering the Naugatuck Synthetic Plant of UniRoyal.

Approximately 150 pickets were massed at the gate of the Synthetic plant at 7:30 this morning. Local 308 officials had been notified by management that they intended to start production in the plant today. The Local has a membership of approximately 200.

President Edward Alves of Local 308 stayed in town today to be with the Local and attempt to talk with management. He said that he talked with Benton Leach, production superintendent of the plant, but was unable to talk with John Evans, plant manager.

Alves stated that the Local took action out of concern when it learned unskilled operators would operate the production. He said “This would be a disaster if the right people were not operating the production lines. The chance of explosion is great and could affect the entire Naugatuck Valley.”

Alves also revealed that the Local had checked with the insurance company to see if UniRoyal had notified them that they were going to produce at the plant. Periodical inspections are made by the insurance company while the plant is in operation. The insurance company said they had not been contacted by the company as of that time, Alves said.

Alves said that one of the gases used at the plant is explosive when contacted by air. This was his main concern, safety-wise.

A team of 12 police officers, under the supervision of Capt. Joseph Summa, was dispatched to the Synthetic when Police Chief Frank Mariano was notified that management was being barred from the plant.

Capt. Summa read the riot act, according to the state statute, to the group of pickets assembled. The pickets continued to march in a circle around in front of the gate, in an orderly fashion.

A wedge of policemen were sent into the picket line to open it up as the cars driven by the supervisory personnel lined up to enter the grounds.

The majority of pickets immediately moved aside; however, two pickets were forced out of the way by policemen and two others booked when they objected to the line breaking up. As soon as the line was opened the line of assembled cars drove through the gate without being hampered by the pickets.

The rest of the pickets started to march to police headquarters, thought better of it and about 30 men arrived at the station by cars.

Police started booking men

Please Turn to Page 14

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

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Uniroyal to Resume Shipment Of Manufactured Products

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Uniroyal to Resume Shipment Of Manufactured Products

5-3-67 [handwritten]

By RAY FITZPATRICK

The strikebound Uniroyal plants in Naugatuck and Beacon Falls will resume shipment of manufactured products tomorrow morning, a company spokesman said today.

The company notified officials of the striking United Rubber Workers of America yesterday afternoon of its intention.

The union immediately increased its picketing at all plant and warehouse entrances according to Raymond Mengacci, union vice president. Picketing will be on a 24 – hour basis, union officials said. Previously, it had been from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The company said it would resume shipments at other area plants, including those in Waterville, Waterbury and Bristol. The union stepped up its picketing at these, too.

About 5,000 production workers in area Uniroyal plants have been affected by the strike, which was called on April 21.

The union is demanding increased unemployment benefits and a wage increase, plus improved fringe benefits.

Nationally, some 50,000 workers are on strike against Uniroyal.

Naugatuck Police Chief Frank Mariano last night called in all available police officers, who reported to Capt. Joseph Summa, in charge of the strike detail.

Mariano acted on the request of Mayor Joseph Raytkwich.

Thomas J. Nelligan of the rubber company’s industrial relations department said today that union officials had been notified yesterday that shipments would begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow. He said workers would be admitted to the plants.

It is believed that only the shipping of finished products would be involved. This would be attempted by supervisory personnel.

Under a company – union agreement, a 24 – hour notice was given by management of attempted shipments.

Minor Scuffling At Struck UniRoyal Plants

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Minor Scuffling At Struck UniRoyal Plants

5-3-67 [handwritten date in top right]

By RUTH NICHOLS

Scuffling and shoving erupted this morning on the picket lines at the struck UniRoyal Footwear Plants in the borough as a result of the announcement by management of its intention to start shipping to critical customers.

The surge of activity began last night at approximately 8 p.m. when UniRoyal began to move personnel with suitcases through the gates.

John Smith, Factory Manager of the Footwear plant, verified the fact that management had notified the union yesterday of the company’s intent to ship to critical customers. Smith said that everything was quiet at the plant late this morning. He had no comment to make as to what number of persons were within the plant.

An all-men picket force was thrown around the gates of the plants last night, continuing through this morning. Scuffling and some incidents ensued early this morning as white collar workers attempted to cross the lines.

However, police report no arrests made. In most instances, police were not successful in escorting personnel through the line.

The heaviest picket lines were in front of the Central Office on Maple St., and the Warehouse located on Rubber Ave. Most of the activity centered around the main warehouse building on Rubber Ave.

Police reported that one group of four was successfully taken through the line. Pickets allowed a nurse and an attorney to enter the warehouse without incident this morning, according to reports.

A special police force of 24 men was put on duty today. The officers said that raincoats were torn and clothing damaged as a result of the early morning activity. Capt. Joseph Summa, in charge of the special force, was kept busy this morning checking the action at the gates to insure the situation did not get out of hand.

Raymond Mengacci, vice-president of Local 45, said late this morning that picketing was “orderly” and that a picket line had been set up at all gates. He added that today the union was not allowing any white collar workers through the lines.

Mengacci stated that the union was told yesterday of the company’s intention to start shipping materials out of the plants.

President of Local 45, George Froehlich, was called in Cincinnati today and informed of the situation in Naugatuck. Froehlich informed Mengacci that one of the companies, not UniRoyal, was “close” to settlement.

An executive vice-president of the company had been brought into the negotiation sessions. This is the first good sign since the strike was called at midnight Thursday, April 20.

Rumors are circulating the borough that UniRoyal is attempting to seek an injunction against the “lock-out.” Mengacci told the NEWS today that as yet no papers have been served on the Union. No confirmation could be obtained from the company as to the veracity of this statement.

Office workers reported for work at their usual time this morning but were not allowed to enter the buildings. Shortly after 8 a.m. management announced via a bull-horn that the workers were to go home and try again tomorrow morning.

Police Chief Frank Mariano is watching the activity closely. He said, he has had no additional information but that at present the local department was able to handle the situation.

Mayor Joseph C. Raytkwich is keeping a close eye on the strike and conferring with officials in an attempt to keep on top of the situation.

50 Arrested In Uniroyal Strike

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50 Arrested In Uniroyal Strike

5-4-67 [handwritten]

By PATRICK KEATING
and
JAMES FLEMING
Register Staff Reporters

NAUGATUCK—Some 50 pickets were arrested this morning and charged with breach of peace following a near-riot with police at the Maple Street gate of the struck Footwear Division of Uniroyal.

The outbreak came after several hundred pickets barred the entrance to the plant to prevent management personnel from entering.

Several pickets required medical attention as a result of the scuffling and one, Nunzi Finatera, 45, was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital, Waterbury, suffering from an apparent heart attack.

Capt. Joseph Summa, heading a detail of 25 patrolmen including regulars and supernumerary patrolmen — about half of the town’s entire department—issued a warning through a bullhorn to the pickets shortly before 8 a.m. telling them they were “guilty of unlawful assembly.”

Summa ordered them to remain silent and read the official riot act to the workers three times.

The policemen’s order was met with catcalls and as office employes attempted to cross the picket line, pushing and shoving broke out between police and pickets. Twenty arrests followed and when the fighting continued, wholesale arrests were made. It took police an hour to disperse the crowd.

All were brought to police headquarters across the street and released without posting cash bonds for appearance in circuit court in Waterbury June 8.

Among those booked was Raymond Mengacci, executive vice president of Local 45, of the United Rubber Workers which authorized the picketing. Mengacci charged, “Footwear management used poor judgment in the matter.”

He said an injunction should have been served on him to have the union desist from stopping office and supervisory personnel from entering the plant.

Mengacci indicated he would have obeyed an injunction and as a result the outbreak would not have occurred.

Later, at about 9:30 a.m., Mengacci returned to police headquarters with attorney Dan Baker, and they conferred with Chief Frank Mariano, Mayor Joseph Raytkwich and attorney Henry Marlor, chairman of the Town’s Police Commission.

Joseph Pincho, a member of the executive committee of Local 45 and a borough fire commissioner, was also arrested.

See UNIROYAL Page 2

[PHOTO CAPTION]: Arrested strikers are booked at Naugatuck Police Headquarters.
Register Photo by Photo by James Fleming

Reds At Marines

SAIGON (AP) — North Vietnamese regulars who streamed across the demilitarized zone recently locked with U.S. near the Laotian border today. Other Communist troops inflicted heavy casualties in an attack on a U.S. Special Forces camp six miles away.

As the ground war intensified in the northwest corner of South Vietnam, U.S. Air Force pilots trying to wipe out North Vietnam’s air arm hit the Hoa Lac MIG base 20 miles west of Hanoi Wednesday for the fourth

Strong Cor Would Cu

By WILLIAM E. KEISH JR.
Register Staff Reporter

STATE CAPITOL —A strong Corrupt Practices Act, which would curb the use of testimonial dinners and tighten up the method of reporting campaign finances, has been fashioned by Democratic leaders and is expected to gain a favorable report today from the General Assembly’s Elections Committee.

State Sen. J. Edward Caldwell, Bridgeport Democrat, confirmed that a substitute bill for one sponsored by Secretary of

Strike Subject Of Meeting In Mayor’s Office

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5-6-67

Strike Subject Of Meeting In Mayor’s Office

A “round robin discussion” behind the closed doors of the office of Mayor Joseph C. Raytkwich took place last night in the Town Hall between the Mayor, members of the Police Commission and representatives of the United Rubber Workers Union.

No statements were issued by any of the parties regarding items discussed, but it was apparent the current UniRoyal strike was the topic.

Present at the meeting were Mayor Raytkwich, Police Chief Frank Mariano, Police Commissioners Henry Marlor and William Simmons and union representatives.

It was reported that Raymond Mengacci, vice-president of Local 45 and top union man in the borough for the Local since its president, George Froehlich, is attending negotiation sessions in Ohio, did not attend the meeting.

The Mayor’s only comment following the meeting was that the group held “a round robin discussion.”

Peace Prevailing Today At Strikebound Uniroyal

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Peace Prevailing Today At Strikebound Uniroyal

NAUGATUCK — An air of peace prevailed this morning at the strikebound Uniroyal Footwear Plant as company personnel entered the Maple St. gate office without incident from nearby picketing members of the United Rubber Workers, in contrast to clashes between the strikers and police during the latter part of last week.

Instructions for peaceful picketing were given to picket captains by Raymond Mengacci,

Naugatuck Valley

vice-president of Local 45, Sunday, in the wake of a stern warning from Superior Court Judge Leo V. Gaffney, Friday, to refrain from interfering in any way with operations of the Uniroyal Plant, pending a hearing on an injunction petition by the company against mass picketing. The hearing will be held Tuesday at 11 a. m.

Damages of $1 million are being asked b y Uniroyal management from the union as a result of the strikers’ alleged interference with plant operations. The injunction request reads in part that “the plaintiff (Uniroyal) has been and will continue to be unable to perform functions vital to its operations. . .”

No comments on t he company’s damage claims were made by Mengacci, who said he had not been aware of the subject and would have to wait until Tuesday’s hearing before making a statement. Local 45 President George Froehlich, also contacted Sunday, s aid he had “no comments.”

As far as it could be determined, this is the first time in which this large figure in damages have been claimed by the company during strikes within the past several years.

Talks on a new contract between the company and the union resume today in Cincinnati as the strike enters into its third week. However, Froehlich, when contacted Sunday, declined to comment on the progress of the talks between the union and management representatives.

Picketing at the two other plants of Uniroyal, the Chemical Division and Synthetic, has been peaceful from the beginning of the strike.

have gone back to their normal routine. The chief expressed his appreciation to Vice-Presidents Mengacci of Local 45 and Cy Blanchard, Local 218, for restoring peace and order to the picket lines. He also said he had the highest praise for his police staff during the crucial moments of the uneasiness that had prevailed between the pickets and police last week.

Strike benefit checks will be issued by the union Tuesday and Wednesday between 9 a. m. and 3 p. m. Members of each local should report to his local’s headquarters.

Those eligible are members who have performed or were available for strike duty.

Mayor Joseph Raytkwich said today that a special meeting will be held today at 7 p.m. by the Welfare Board to set up a policy for welfare benefits for those affected by the strike. Inquiries on benefits, he said, have been coming to his office and to the Welfare Department.

Mayor Frederick W. Palomba of Waterbury and First Selectman Norman W. Husted, Oxford, also have received inquiries on welfare aid, it was reported.

[Handwritten note at top: 5-9-66]

[Bottom partial text visible: Frank Mariano]

21 Held In New Uniroyal Row Company Asks Picketing Curbs

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Register Photo by Stuart Longer

Fighting breaks out at Maple Street entrance to Uniroyal plant.

MAY 5, 1967 N.H. Reg.

21 Held In New Uniroyal Row

Company Asks Picketing Curbs

By JAMES FLEMING
Register Staff Reporter

NAUGATUCK — Fighting broke out at the Maple Street plant of Uniroyal for the second day in a row, and 21 employes were arrested. Fifty were arrested Thursday.

It was later learned that Uniroyal will seek a restraining order in Superior Court in Waterbury today in an attempt to limit the union to a maximum of three pickets at each gate.

Brawling began at 6:50 a.m. today when office personnel attempted to cross picket lines. Pickets who had been circling near the entrance massed at the gate when the salaried workers tried to get into the company grounds.

Police struggled with pickets as they attempted to open lanes for the workers, and several fights broke out between the strikers and the police. Seven policemen were needed to subdue one worker, William Battles, 37, of Waterbury, who was charged with breach of peace by assault. He was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury afterward where he was treated and released after complaining of stomach pains.

Lt. George Smith went to St. Mary’s for examination after he told Chief Frank Mariano he had been kicked twice in the groin.

As more office employes arrived, company officials told them to wait on the nearby Naugatuck Green while management and union leaders conferred on allowing them to enter. About 300 employes walked to the Green, about half a block away in small groups.

Tension mounted in front of the plant while small groups of women pickets marched carrying signs hung around their necks and sang improvised songs such as “Go home boys in blue” aimed at the police.

Meanwhile, individual office workers without realizing that the others were waiting on the Green, would try to pass through the gate and would be pushed aside.

One woman screamed at the pickets, “Save your strength; you’ll need it when you go back to work.”

Suddenly, the 300 persons on the Green began returning to the plant spontaneously in a massed group and the strikers began yelling as they saw them approaching. Some 25 policemen —half the total force in Naugatuck—rushed into the street between the two groups along with a Uniroyal official and told the office employes to go back to the Green.

The strikers continued to press forward to meet the office workers until the other group went back to the Green.

About half an hour later, the office workers again moved toward the plant and the strikers came toward them. Raymond

See UNIROYAL Page 2

the middle between the union l office personnel.

esterday’s scuffling nned from union concerns t Uniroyal would try to ship rchandise from a struck ehouse. In the morning, hing began as office em-yes tried to enter the build-pass. Later in the day, a U.S. mail truck was blocked when it tried to leave the company grounds. The pickets converged on it but let it pass after a few minutes’ delay.

to townspeople in the area sur- rounding the Naugatuck Chemi- cal plant. It exposes all to the possibility of explosion or dead- ly gases being released in the atmosphere.

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to townspeople in the area surrounding the Naugatuck Chemical plant. It exposes all to the possibility of explosion or deadly gasses being released in the atmosphere.”

He concluded with the statement that betterment of safety and progress at the Naugatuck Chemical plant has been the main concern of Local 218 in past years.

John Evans, manager of the Chemical Division, said this morning that no violence occurred at the gates this morning. He said the company was forced to resume production to serve key accounts which include defense contracts.

He had no comment to make on the union statement as to the danger of inexperienced people operating equipment.

Evans and Ronald Pohl, labor relations manager at the Chemical Division, conferred with Police Chief Frank Mariano early this morning. No information on this meeting was released.

Local 218 has been maintaining around-the-clock picket lines at the Chemical since the beginning of the strike 35-days ago. The normal picket line has been three or four men throughout the period, with Cy Blanchard, vice president of the Local in charge while Rzeszutek was in Cincinnati participating in the negotiation sessions.

Negotiations are continuing in Cincinnati today with strong rumors circulating the borough that settlement is imminent. No confirmation has been made as to this, however.

The following eight pickets were booked at 8 a.m. at the police station on breach of peace charges. They were released under the no cash bond program for appearance in Waterbury Circuit Court June 8.

Albert R. Lestage, 37, 85 Vernon St., Waterbury; Tano

Superior Court Judge Leo V. Gaffney this morning denied a petition for an injunction and restraining order against Local 218, United Rubber Workers, sought by UniRoyal, Inc., Chemical Division, and continued the case until next Thursday.

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Superior Court Judge Leo V.
Gaffney this morning denied a
petition for an injunction and
restraining order against Local
218, United Rubber Workers,
sought by UniRoyal, Inc., Chem-
ical Division, and continued the
case until next Thursday.

George Froehlich, president
of Local 45 URW, who has been
in Cincinnati participating in
negotiation session has re-
turned to the borough due to
the death of his sister, Mrs. Ma-
tilda (Froelich) Donston.

Froehlich announced that a
meeting for the membership of
Local 45 will be held at the Nau-
gatuck High School auditorium,
Monday at 2:30 p.m. presuma-
bly to inform them about the
negotiations.

Officials of the rubber firm
went into the Waterbury court
today in an effort to stop block-
ing of management personnel
by union workers at gates to
the Chemical Division.

Judge Gaffney said the injunc-
tion, if granted, would only
cause more tension in the mat-
ter.

For the second morning in a
row, pickets at the Chemical
Co. gates attempted to keep
management from entering the
plant.

John Evans, manager of the
Chemical plant, reported to the
police station this morning and
informed Police Chief Frank
Mariano that pickets were again
barring entry into the plant.

Mariano dispatched the entire
special strike force to the plant
to reinforce the four officers on
duty there. No violence was used
today and no arrests were made.
When the officers arrived the
pickets opened up the lines and
admitted management.

Local 218 threw a heavy pick-
et line around the plant yester-
day morning after it had been
notified by UniRoyal that super-
visory personnel would begin
production at the plant. Both
yesterday and this morning
strikers attempted by peaceful
methods to keep supervisory
personnel from entering the
plant at the beginning of the
work day.