management

Uniroyal Injunction Hearing Continued

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SATURDAY MAY 27, 1967

Uniroyal Injunction Hearing Continued

NAUGATUCK An injunction sought by Uniroyal Chemical Friday against the United Rubber Workers was continued by Superior Court Judge Leo V. Gaffney.

The continuance was ordered following an early morning session of peaceful picketing by Local 218 at the Elm St. entrance to the plant. All personnel seeking entry into the plant passed through without incident.

In its court appearance Thursday, the local must show cause why an injunction should not be issued against “illegal picketing activities.”

Although the scene at the gate was quiet Friday morning, eight pickets were arrested Thursday at the same gate.

At that time pickets were attempting to stop management personnel from entering the plant to produce items management said wene needed for the Vietnam war effort.

Judge Gaffney said he knew “there was a spark of patriotism” in everyone and added he hoped this would lead to a lessening of tensions at the Chemical Plant.

Union Pres. Joseph Rzeszutek, one of those arrested Thursday, hotly denied that any of the items produced Thursday were going to Vietnam.

No witnesses were called in the case. Judge Gaffney met with union and management lawyers in chambers and then issued the order in open court.

Reclaim Slabs

Rzeszutek’s comments came after the court proceedings. He claimed only items shipped were “slabs of reclaim,” or slabs of rubber made by a reclaiming process starting with old tires and other rubber items.

“What are they going to do with slabs of reclaim, drop them from airplanes and smother the Viet Cong?” he asked.

The union president said he resented the implication that he and his union were unpatriotic rising from the company claim that the production was needed for the war effort.

Rzeszutek said he was a veteran of combat and “had been shot up a few times” himself.

“I certainly don’t want our men to do without anything they need,” he said.

He said he could guarantee that not one thing had been shipped from the Chemical Plant to Vietnam.

A company official was quoted Thursday as saying the operation of the plant by management personnel was for the production of some key items necessary for the Vietnam defense effort.

Time To Consider

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Time To Consider

Saturday May 27, 1967

Time To Consider

United Rubber Workers Local 218 has been summoned to appear in Superior Court next week to show cause why an injunction should not be issued against illegal picketing in the month-old strike involving Naugatuck plants of Uniroyal, Inc.

Judge Leo V. Gaffney, who issued the order, also expressed the hope that things in Naugatuck would quiet down and thus eliminate the need for the hearing, presently slated for Thursday.

The judge ordered the show-cause hearing in the wake of arrests made at Uniroyal gates, when union pickets attempted to prevent management personnel from entering the plant.

Management had insisted that the employes were needed to produce items needed for the war in Vietnam. Union officials hotly denied that there was any proof of need for the items which management said were destined for the Southeast Asian war effort.

The point is, of course, that there is obvious lack of communication; obvious skepticism. It is, as Judge Gaffney said, not difficult to understand that union members should be exercised by the thought that “someone is destroying . . . their right to work and live.”

It is almost always thus in matters of disagreement in labor difficulties which end up with strikes. When failure to agree reaches the strike stage, emotionalism almost always takes over in place of realism; and the phenomenon is not limited to one side or the other.

It would be far better for all parties concerned if reason and common sense could prevail—which is what Judge Gaffney was suggesting. Let’s hope there will be no hearing. Let’s hope that there will be a settlement before June 1 rolls around.

Local 45

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Local 45

5-28-67

Continued From Page 1

intended to start production in the Footwear plants. Following two mornings in which the pickets sought to keep supervisory personnel outside the plant by mass picketing, UniRoyal attempted to obtain a restraining order from Waterbury Superior Court.

Judge Leo Gaffney postponed the injunction for two two-week periods as long as orderly picketing was conducted at the gates.

The officials of Local 45 have ordered peaceful picketing of its members and have allowed white collar workers to pass through the lines as well as trucks to go in and out of the warehouse gate without incident.

Local 218 became disturbed last week when they were faced with the same situation. UniRoyal again sought an injunction against that local Friday. A “show cause” hearing has been scheduled for Thursday in Waterbury Superior Court by Judge Gaffney.

Offcials of Local 218 claimed that “inaccurate statements were made by the factory manager of the Chemical Co. plant,” in relation to the management’s decision to use supervisory personnel to operate process equipment at the plant.

4 Pickets Are Arrested At Uniroyal

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4 Pickets Are Arrested At Uniroyal

5-31-67 [handwritten]

Naugatuck police arrested four union pickets today, including a Seymour resident, as supervisory personnel at Uniroyal Co. filed through picket lines to begin production.

Company management had notified representatives of Local 45, United Rubber Workers of America, Monday that production would be begun today by supervisory personnel.

Edward Alvares, president of URW Local 308, warned of the possibility of danger in having supervisory personnel, unfamiliar with procedures, working in production at the chemical plant.

Safety Precautions

Company officials said safety precautions were being taken.

About 100 pickets were on duty in front of the Naugatuck plant today when about 150 supervisory employees went to work.

Twelve policemen were on duty and arrested four pickets on charges of breach of peace, including Anthony Gambardella of 53 Birchwood Road, Seymour. Two pickets were carried away.

Negotiations between management and the union are taking place in Cincinnati. They were scheduled to resume today.

George Froelich, president of Local 45, told union members yesterday at a meeting at Naugatuck High School auditorium that company officials were reluctant to discuss issues presented by union negotiators.

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

CAPT. JOSEPH SUMMA is shown reading the state statute containing the “riot act” to picketers at the Synthetic plant as members of Local 308 bar the entrance gate to supervisory personnel, yesterday morning. Local 308 president Edward Alves, back to camera listens intently.

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CAPT. JOSEPH SUMMA is shown reading the state statute containing the "riot act" to picketers at the Synthetic plant as members of Local 308 bar the entrance gate to supervisory personnel, yesterday morning. Local 308 president Edward Alves, back to camera listens intently.

6-1-67

CAPT. JOSEPH SUMMA is shown reading the state statute containing the “riot act” to picketers at the Synthetic plant as members of Local 308 bar the entrance gate to supervisory personnel, yesterday morning. Local 308 president Edward Alves, back to camera listens intently. -(News photo by Nichols)

Uniroyal Bargaining Units Fail To Meet

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Uniroyal Bargaining Units Fail To Meet

6-1-67

Uniroyal Bargaining Units Fail To Meet

NAUGATUCK — A meeting between representatives of the United Rubber Workers and Uniroyal management did not take place as scheduled Wednesday.

A union spokesman, contacted Wednesday night, said he did not know why it was canceled. Asked who called the meeting off, he answered that he did not know that, either.

However, he added, a meeting has been scheduled for today.

The two groups have been meeting in Cincinnati, where Wednesday’s meeting was to take place.

Addressing 2,000 union members Monday, Local 45 Pres. George Froehlich said that there would be a meeting Wednesday, and left for Cincinnati early Wednesday morning.

On the local scene, mass picketing by members of Local 308, Synthetic Plant, Wednesday morning, led to the arrest of four pickets following an attempt to prevent management personnel from entering the plant.

According to Edward Alves, president of the local, management had informed the union that production would begin at the plant Wednesday. The report led to the mass picketing.

Strike Negotiations

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be kept.

6-1-67

Strike Negotiations

Continued From Page 1

community with production being carried on in both plants by skeleton crews of supervisory personnel.

John Evans, factory manager, of both plants, has issued assuring statements that no danger exists which have been questioned by the union.

All rumors of impending settlement have been squashed since George Froehlich, president of Local 45, held a meeting of its membership Monday and told them that little or no progress had been made in six weeks of negotiating.

Strikers in the borough are beginning to think about the possibility of an idle summer with no settlement before September.

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!

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.

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.

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

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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.

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.

Chance Of Rubber Industry, Union Accord Before Monday Dim

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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

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.

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.

Continuing Talks Give Hope Of Uniroyal Settlement

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Continuing Talks Give Hope Of Uniroyal Settlement

4-30-62 [handwritten]

By PATRICK KEATING
Register Staff Reporter

NAUGTUCK — Hope that a breakthrough in the stalemated contract talks between the nited Rubber Workers and Uniroyal may develop is being expressed by local employes of the rubber company as the strike heads into its 10th day.

The optimism is predicated on the willingness of both the URW Policy Committee and management of Uni Royal to continue negotiating sessions in Cincinnati Saturday and again today.

Normally, negotiations are recessed on a weekend. Therefore, the meeting Saturday and the one scheduled today are considered by the 5,000 workers who struck the Uniroyal footwear, chemical and synthetic plants here April 21.

Last weekend, the negotiating teams not only recessed for that period but stayed apart until Wednesday.

Failure to agree on clauses of a contract when the old one expired at midnight April 20, caused URW to strike the 19 plants of Uniroyal scattered about the country.

Both sides have adopted a set pattern against any public announcements on progress of talks. But second-hand reports indicate that hourly wage increases and URW’s request for a guaranteed annual pay wage of about 95 per cent of salary are the main stumbling blocks.

It has also been indicated here that representatives of the three area locals — 45, 218 and 308 — are in a settling mood. However, according to the report, tire plant workers of Uniroyal are still at odds with management over pay hikes.

Strike Benefits

Meanwhile, URW executive committees are setting up machinery so that local union members may receive strike benefits. Applications were accepted Friday and they will again be received Monday to enable the strikers to be eligible for weekly checks while the shutdown endures.

Picketing at Uniroyal’s Naugatuck Chemical Co. continued this weekend on around-the-clock schedule. At the footwear and synthetic plants, however, pickets were called off until Monday morning.

During the past week, management personnel was permitted to cross the picket lines. It has been reported, however, that this privilege may be denied starting Monday. Management has reportedly instructed personnel, if challenged, to withdraw without question.

Uniroyal Tension Increases

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Uniroyal Tension Increases

5-3-67 [handwritten]

NAUGATUCK — An atmosphere of tension developed on United Rubber Workers picket lines shortly before midnight Tuesday when Uniroyal management personnel attempted to enter office buildings with suitcases.

Locals 45 and 308 called out all-male picket teams at approximately 7 p.m. when reports were heard that Uniroyal would attempt to ship from the plant.

Pickets, which had been moving in six-member teams since April 21, were increased to nearly twice that amount Tuesday night when reports circulated that this move would be made.

For the first time since the strike began, the teams were totally lacking in women pickets, although approximately 80 per cent of Local 45 membership of 4,000 is comprised of women.

Police patrols, which had been limited to one patrolman at each of the four picket points, were increased to a total force of 25 or more.

Chief negotiator for the Naugatuck locals, George Froehlich, contacted in Cincinnati prior to the developments in the borough, stated that negotiations were scheduled to continue today but did not comment any further.

Company officials were not immediately available for comment on the purpose of the reported attempt to move management personnel into the plant premises.

Picket Line Activity

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5-3-67

Picket Line Activity

POLICEMAN ATTEMPTS to hold back Local 45 pickets at the Uniroyal Footwear Division plant as office personnel tried to gain entrance to the building on Maple St. in Naugatuck. Friction developed on the picket line as the union, which had been allowing office help to go into work, changed its mind.—King Photo.

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.

Pickets, Police Scuffle At Borough Rubber Plant

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Pickets, Police Scuffle At Borough Rubber Plant

5-3-67 [handwritten date]

NAUGATUCK—At least two attempts by police to crash through picket lines at the Uniroyal Footwear plant failed this morning, causing office and supervisory personnel to return home.

The 150 persons, mostly women, who attempted to get through the Maple St. gate at 6:40 and 7:40 a. m. were turned away by the picket line, which was nearly three times the size of the line Tuesday.

However, no injuries of any type or any serious physical violence resulted, according to police. There were no arrests made.

According to highly placed sources, the picket line was increased when word was received from management that shipping would resume sometime today. The lines were set up at night, when supervisory and office personnel were reported entering the plant with suitcases, apparently planning on staying for a duration of time. No one entered the plant this morning.

Rumors Circulate

The increased size of the picket line lead to rumors that management may seek a court injunction restraining the size of the picket line. Fred Chapman, spokesman at the New York Office of Uniroyal, said today that he believed his legal department was checking into the matter, although he could not confirm or deny that an injunction was definitely being sought.

The presence of a photographer in the building, taking pictures during the police-picketline scuffle, added to the rumors of the injunction. Such photographs could be used as evidence in seeking the restraint.

Atty. William Larkin, counsel for Uniroyal operations at the Naugatuck plants, declined to “Make any comment whatsoever concerning Uniroyal.”

instrumental in sending the large number of pickets home

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instrumental in sending the
large number of pickets home.
The mayor said shortly after 10
a.m. that only two or three pick-
ets were at each of the factory
gates, ‘picketing in an orderly
fashion.’

Mayor Ratkwich said that,
since an early hour today, he
had been making an effort to

(Cont’d on Page 4—PICKETS)

Added Police

by

Added Police

When tension increased early this morning, additional reinforcements were called out by Naugatuck police. Supernumeraries were called in, and shifts were extended. At least 22 policemen were on duty in the Uniroyal area this morning.

However, when it became evident that the picket lines could not be broken, the size of the police detail was decreased by Capt. Joseph Summa.

The directive to the office workers, members of Local 45 and 308, came from company Traffic Manager William Ware. Ware said later that he was only passing on information he received from management. He said he had no indication of

Pickets

by

Pickets

(Cont’d from Page One)

contact Thomas Nelligan of the
firm’s industrial relations de-
partment, but his calls to the
plant were stymied. He was also
unable to reach Plant Mgr. John
M. Smith.

The Footwear Plant switch-
board is not open today, and the
heavy flood of calls had
swamped the alternate in-com-
ing phone system at the Maple
St. gatehouse.

The mayor said that there ap-
peared to be a good chance that
peaceful picketing would contin-
ue during the remainder of to-
day.

Police in Waterbury and Bris-
tol, where Uniroyal also main-
tains warehouses, said that the
picket activity was normal, with
no incidents. State Police at
Bethany Barracks said that
picketing was normal at the
firm’s Beacon Falls division.

UNUSUALLY HEAVY pedestrian traffic was noted this morning at the Maple St. gate of Uniroyal in Naugatuck as Local 45 members — on strike now for over two weeks — suddenly decided not to allow office help into the building. Naugatuck’s new Town Hall can be seen in background.—King Photo.

by

UNUSUALLY HEAVY pedestrian traffic was noted this morning at the Maple St. gate of Uniroyal in Naugatuck as Local 45 members — on strike now for over two weeks — suddenly decided not to allow office help into the building. Naugatuck’s new Town Hall can be seen in background.—King Photo.

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, Naugatuck policemen and Local 45 Footwear Union members at the Maple St. gate each tried to go their way. The police had attempted to get office help into the plant. The union attempted to prevent it. Company officials sent the office help home to

Minor Scuffling At Struck UniRoyal Plants

by

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.

OFFICE WORKERS waited outside the Central Office of UniRoyal and across the street at the Maple St. gate this morning, uncertain of the next move. The pickers refused to allow them into the buildings this morning for the first time in the 13-day old strike. Shortly after the photo was taken, management announced they were to go home and try again tomorrow.

by

OFFICE WORKERS waited outside the Central Office of UniRoyal and across the street at the Maple St. gate this morning, uncertain of the next move. The pickets refused to allow them into the buildings this morning for the first time in the 13-day old strike. Shortly after the photo was taken, management announced they were to go home and try again tomorrow.

—(News photo by Nichols)

Four Retire Recently

by

Page 4 CHEM-TEXTS Vol. 9, 1975

Four Retire Recently

[PHOTO]

Martha Karbowicz, right, retired from R&D after 46 years. From left are Walter Budd, Josephine Wailonis, and Martha.

[PHOTO]

George Aspell, third left, cuts cake on his retirement from R&D. Observing at left is Francis Sordi, Aspell, and Richard Tweedie.

[PHOTO]

Thomas Lee, right, is congratulated by Joseph Bucciaglia, Superintendent of Chemical Production, on his retirement after 33 years service.

[PHOTO]

Julius Cohen, left, retired after 24 years service. Congratulating him are Daniel Shantz, right, and William Borden, left.

U.S….

continued from page 1

ert Kindle, Robert Barnhart and Dr. Philip T. Paul (retired) for a Vulklor®—Bonding Agent R-6™ which improves the adhesion of rubber to steel tire cord; Dr. Francis O’Shea for weathering resistant grafted Royalene® for use in Kralastic® ABS; and Dr. Zaven Ariyan for pharmaceutical anti-inflamatory agents who has since resigned from the company.

28 inventors received one or more of the 34 patents. Dr. Stephen Cantor received 5 while William Fischer (retired), Leland Dannals and Dr. Howard Hageman received two each.

Dr. Byron A. Hunter was awarded the thirty-eighth patent of his career—the highest number for any person in the Chemical Division.

Other Chemical Division inventors who received U.S. patents were R. Ames, J. Barron, Dr. W. Batorewicz, Dr. T. Brett, Jr., W. Budd, J. Chin, K. Hughes, M. Kleinfeld, R. Quint, Dr. A. Smith, A. Soboleski, Dr. B. VonSchmeling, J. Corkins, J. Hartley, A. Heinrichs, Dr. E. Kontos, W. McIntire, and R. Stark.

Conference: a meeting where people talk about what they should already be doing.

Al-Anon Helps the Families of Alcoholics

If you are concerned about someone in your family with a drinking problem, the Al-Anon program can help you.

Al-Anon is an established resource for the families of alcoholics. It provides important information and help for the family whether or not the alcoholic member seeks help or even recognizes his or her drinking problem.

Al-Anon is an outgrowth of Alcoholics Anonymous, with the same basic 12 step structure of AA and is a completely separate organization. The only requirement for Al-Anon membership is that the person either has been or is being affected by someone else’s drinking problem.

Alcoholism directly affects the individual who is its victim, but it is in every sense a family and social disease. The magnitude of the problem may be seen . . . in family tragedies, industrial costs, highway and other accidents, crime and delinquency, and countless other human problems.

Al-Anon offers a constructive approach to this family and social illness. It assists in the recovery of those persons already damaged, and helps prevent some of the tragedies that occur as a result of the destructive impact of alcoholism on the lives of those involved with someone else’s drinking problem.

Al-Anon publishes over 60 pamphlets on alcoholism and how families should treat this problem, a monthly publication, and a cartoon booklet.

Further information on Al-Anon may be obtained by contacting: Connecticut Al-Anon, Public Information, P.O. Box 888, New Haven, Conn. 06504. Tel: 787-0115.

94 Honored…

continued from page 3

[PHOTO]

Advanced to the 35 Year Group: Dr. McCleary presents 35 year pins to Catherine Sullivan and George O’Brien.

E. Semaskvich, W. Schlesinger, H. Smith, F. Tabone, L. Thompson, F. Tigeleiro, K. Urbsaitis, H. Vagt, H. Venslow, and R. Volz.

30 Years Service

E. Anderson, L. Anderson, R. Baker, M. Banik, P. Benson, T. Dalton, M. Foy, S. Korpusik, R. Olson, N. Patrick, J. Rabetsky, J. Rotella, M. N. P. Silva, J. Speck, and G. Stone.

35 Years Service

N. Benson, F. Clark, M. Cob-

[PHOTO]

Advanced to the 30 Year Group were Gracie Stone, Mary Foy, and Edward Newell.

bol, N. Gibbs, Z. Kirdzik, R. Magnanimo, W. Mariano, Dr. C. McCleary, K. D. Nelson, G. O’Brien, C. O’Sullivan, T. San Angelo, J. Schumacher, E. Szesziul, and R. VanAllen.

40 Years Service

W. Budd, D. Cowan, C. Drapko, C. Gates, F. Lynch, A. Nauges, H. Scullin, and A. Zapatka.

45 Years Service

Eitel Radwick

Fahnestock & Co.
(Established 1881)

Members New York Stock Exchange
“ON THE VILLAGE GREEN”

| STOCKS | BONDS | MUTUAL FUNDS |

HERITAGE VILLAGE FINANCIAL CENTER
SOUTHBURY, CONNECTICUT 06488 TELEPHONE 264-6511

ARTHUR THOMAS, JR. Manager EDWARD H. MITCHAM, JR.

27 Receive…

continued from page 1

Waterbury, Gould applied the theories of supervision to the practical aspects of daily situations that occur in an industrial plant.

Prior to the new program, many of the people promoted to supervisory positions did not have an extensive background in the managerial responsibilities of their new assignments.

Participants in the second class were A. Piooli, S. Aloise, M. Banik, W. Budd, C. Bulka, H. Campbell, W. Connelly, D. Cowan, F. Rodrigues, A. Soares, G. Baktis, J. Burke, W. Rek, R. Clark, G. Bachinsky, I. Broderick, C. German, F. Giordano, S. Korpusik, J. Mambrino, P. Murray, T. Engle, A. Grant, W. Kirkendall, R. Magnanimo, K. D. Nelson, and R. Valentine.

A new course, the Techniques of Management, is now being planned and will be given in the Fall of this year.

BUY U.S. SAVINGS BONDS

Family Picnic Planned

The Uniroyal Chemical Management Club will hold the annual family picnic for its members on Tuesday, August 12, at Lake Quassapaug in Middlebury. The entire family is invited to the picnic which starts at 5 P.M. and will feature a wide variety of menu specialties. The park offers amusement rides and swimming facilities.

Other summer activities scheduled by the club are a night baseball game at Shea Stadium

continued from page 1

Appointments Announced

John Tierney has been named Assistant General Foreman for the Materials Department.

Arnold Nori has been named Second Shift Production Foreman for 80 Bldg. Roylar operations.

in New York on Friday August 29 to see the N.Y. Yankees play the Kansas City Royals.

The final summer picnic will be held on Thursday, September 4, at Lake Quassapaug.

SAFETY IS MY RESPONSIBILITY [LOGO]

BOB’S CAMERA SHOP INC. [CAMERA ICON]
WATERBURY’S LEADING CAMERA SHOP
90 South Main St., Waterbury, Conn. 06702 754-2256
Film ● Cameras ● Projectors ● Developing ● Rentals

CHEM-TEXTS
PUBLISHED BY THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
UNIROYAL CHEMICAL, NAUGATUCK, CONN. 06770

Equal Opportunity Employer

EDITOR: William F. Lavelle.

[UNIROYAL LOGO]

UNIROYAL CHEMICAL
Naugatuck, Connecticut 06770

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Naugatuck, Conn. 06770

43 Arrested in Strike

by

43 Arrested in Strike

Clash at Uniroyal

5-1-67 [handwritten notation in top left corner]

[Left photo caption:]
Naugatuck Police Capt. Joseph Summa moves in to remove Uniroyal striker confronting Mayor Joseph Raytkwich arriving at City Hall.

[Right photo caption:]
Uniroyal strikers are booked at Naugatuck police headquarters on charges of breach of the peace. Pickets and police clashed as management employes attempted to enter Maple Street gate at 7 a.m. today. One picket suffered a suspected heart attack.

(Sentinel Photo by Cotter)

Naugatuck Police Escort 200 Through Picket Line

by

Naugatuck Police Escort 200 Through Picket Line

5-4-67

Other Picture, Page 13

Naugatuck police arrested 43 men this morning after a near-riot in front of the Maple Street gate of the struck Uniroyal plant in Naugatuck.

Police Capt. Joseph Summa said the struggle began about 7 a.m. when 200 supervisory personnel sought to cross a picket line to go to work.

An escort of 20 policemen formed a wedge to conduct them through the picket line.

The disturbance became so threatening that Summa three times read the “riot act.” To pickets in front of the gate he read sections of the statutes pertaining to rioting.

Cy Blanchard, vice president of Local 308, Chemical Workers of America, and Raymond Mengacci, vice president of Local 45, United Rubber Workers of America, were among the 3 arrested.

Three of those arrested were Seymour men:

Henry Hook, 37, of 167 West Church St.; Donald Miles, 33, of 84 Grand St., and John Sharkey, 37, of 17 Martha St.

All 43 were charged with breach of the peace and released on their own recognizance. They are to appear June 8 in Waterbury Circuit Court.

No serious injuries were reported, but one picket was taken to St. Mary’s hospital in Waterbury in a police ambulance.

He was suffering from a possible heart attack. He is Nunzio Finateri, 51, of Naugatuck.

After treatment at the hospital, Finateri was released.

Pickets also marched in front of City Hall. They taunted police with such charges as “wait until you want a raise,” how about protecting us,” “we pay taxes too,” “strike breaker,” and “you favor management.”

When Mayor Joseph Raytkwich arrived at City Hall, the strikers swarmed around his car. Police had to move in to protect him. The pickets were protesting the action of the police in arresting the pickets.

About 30 pickets were on duty in Beacon Falls. Although no police were in the vicinity of the Uniroyal plant, state troopers were out in force in the area of Route 8, available to move in if trouble developed.

Maple Street from Water to Church Streets has been closed by police to through traffic.

In Beacon Falls today there was no violence.

Local Uniroyal plants in Naugatuck and Beacon Falls have been strikebound since April 21, as have plants in Waterville, Waterbury, Bristol and elsewhere. Locally, some 5,000 workers are affected; the national total is about 50,000.

The union is seeking a wage increase, plus increased unemployment benefits and other fringe benefits.

The union stepped up its picketing yesterday at the local plants and elsewhere after the company announced that it would seek to resume the shipments of manufactured products today.

The company had not started shipping by noon today.

Naugatuck police said additional patrolmen brought in today to insure order among the 200 to 300 pickets swelled the number of police to 25.

Early today the pickets were warned to resume their orderly march, police said. But when some of them began pushing supervisory employes moving through the picket lines, the police moved in and arrested them.

In Washington, the administration has not yet become heavily involved in the two-week strike against Uniroyal (formerly U. S. Rubber), Firestone and B. F Goodrich. The Shelton and Derby B. F. Goodrich plants are not affected.

Rubber stockpiles are plentiful and no shortage is iminent.

TELLS PICKETS TO MOVE ON

by

5-4-67

TELLS PICKETS TO MOVE ON — Naugatuck policemen under the direction of Capt. Joseph Summa order Uniroyal strikers away from the front of police headquarters on Maple St., Naugatuck. Pickets quickly gathered when Mayor Joseph Raytkwich arrived at City Hall. They loudly protested actions of police in arresting 43 pickets after shoving match as police escorted management employes through gate at 7 this morning. (Story on Page 1).

PICKETS were outenmasse at the warehouse building on Rubber Ave. to ensure no one or nothing passed through the line

by

5-4-67

NAUGATUCK NEWS (Conn.) Thurs., May 4, 1967 – Page 7

PICKETS were out enmasse at the warehouse building on Rubber Ave. to ensure no one or nothing passed through the line yesterday morning. Early in the morning several scuffles kept the policemen on their toes but no serious incidents were reported. –(News photo by Nichols)

[Visible on protest sign in image: “UNITED RUBBER WORKERS ON STRIKE”]

43 Arrests

by

43 Arrests

The following 43 persons were arrested by local police in today’s scuffle at the Maple St. entrance to UniRoyal’s Footwear Division.

Charles Butler, 49, Mulberry St., charged with interfering with police; all others are charged with breach of peace.

Walter M. Scott, 36, 230 Pembroke Ave., Francisco DaSilva, 47, 20 Tolles Sq.; Henry Hook, 37, 167 West Church St., Seymour; Donald Miles, 33, 84 Grand St., Seymour; John Sharkey, 37, 17 Martha St., Seymour; Cyrus Blanchard, vice-president of Local 218; Franklin Mazoroski, 39, 63 Lester Dr.; Michael Kalinoski, 49, 39 Fairchild St.

Austin C. Cross, 46, 18 Lynn Cir.; Hugh Garahan, 29, 21 Elmwood St.; John Cartello, 37, 19 Baldwin St.; Joseph Kaczkowski, 57, 106 Morris St.; Lee Mattocks, 37, 18 Winchester St., Waterbury; Harold Soucie, 40, 376 North Main St.; Clifford Owens, 57, Wooster St.

Alexander Zdonick, 41, 57 Johnson St.; Harry Chofey, 42, 13 Surrey Dr.; John M. DelGrosso, 41, 66 Greenwood St.; Carl Ostrom, 32, 928 New Haven Rd.; Joseph Faroni, 59, 39 Florence St.; Raymond Mengacci, vice-president Local 45; Albert Gomez, 38, 40 Cherry

Please Turn to Page 10

HUSTLED UP Maple St. by Police Officer Thomas Hunt is an unidentified striker following a pushing incident in front of a Unioyal-Footwear Division gate this morning. The man was presumably booked on a charge of breach of the peace, one of 43 such arrests made this morning. The man resisted Hunt’s urgings and protested that he had done nothing. He lost his hat in the brief scuffle.

by

HUSTLED UP Maple St. by Police Officer Thomas Hunt is an unidentified striker following a pushing incident in front of a UniRoyal-Footwear Division gate this morning. The man was presumably booked on a charge of breach of the peace, one of 43 such arrests made this morning. The man resisted Hunt’s urgings and protested that he had done nothing. He lost his hat in the brief scuffle. –(News photo by Jensen)

Uniroyal Warehouse In Bristol Picketed

by

Waterbury Republican, Thursday, May 4, 1967—45

Uniroyal Warehouse In Bristol Picketed

BRISTOL—Pickets appeared in front of the Uniroyal Inc. warehouse on Center St. Wednesday just after midnight when it was learned that management was going to try to ship from the local warehouse.

The pickets represent Local 45, United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and Plastic Workers of

Bristol

America, who have been on strike since midnight April 20 against Uniroyal Inc.

Three pickets took up their posts in front of the warehouse about midnight and by the time mid-morning rolled around, there were 11. Early in the afternoon there were six.

Four members of management were in the office this morning. When they arrived no one knows and Bill Clisham, manager of the local warehouse, declined to say. Sitting it out with Clisham were Richard Quatrano, assistant superintendent of the fabric shoe mill, Naugatuck; Francis Schildgen and Charles Lodge, foremen at the Naugatuck footwear division. Clisham would not disclose how much stock in the warehouse was ready for shipment.

The pickets were firm about not letting any more members of management into the warehouse. They will however, allow those already inside to leave. They have to keep their hands in their pockets, they said, but that doesn’t keep them from lining up shoulder to shoulder to form a solid line or keep them from using their feet.

According to one of the men, the union had agreed not to picket this warehouse or the one in Beacon Falls, but when they heard that management intended to break the freeze on shipments, they felt justified in picketing the Bristol facility.

According to reports Wednesday night, picketing had ceased around 9:30.

BRISTOL WAREHOUSE of Uniroyal Inc. was picketed Wednesday by members of the United Rubber Workers Union, which struck the firm April 20. Reports of a possible shipment from the building prompted the picketing. — Rosenberg Photo.

[Visible on picket signs in photo: “UNITED RUBBER WORKERS ON STRIKE”]

Mass Arrests In Borough

by

Mass Arrests In Borough

NAUGATUCK POLICE this morning cracked down on striking Local 45 members picketing Uniroyal, arresting 43 on charges of breach of peace when the union members refused to allow non-union office help into the building. Top photo shows policemen leading two of those arrested away from the Maple St. gate. Bottom photo shows parade of police, each with man to be booked, crossing blocked-off Maple St. from the plant gate, off to left, to conveniently-located Police Headquarters, off to right.—King Photos.

[Handwritten notation in margin: 5-4-67]