negotiations

21 Held In New Uniroyal Row Company Asks Picketing Curbs

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Register Photo by Stuart Longer

Fighting breaks out at Maple Street entrance to Uniroyal plant.

MAY 5, 1967 N.H. Reg.

21 Held In New Uniroyal Row

Company Asks Picketing Curbs

By JAMES FLEMING
Register Staff Reporter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See UNIROYAL Page 2

the middle between the union l office personnel.

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

UNIROYAL

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UNIROYAL

(Continued from Page 1)

Mengacci, vice president of Local 45, United Rubber Workers, warned strikers that state troopers would be called if the office help were not permitted to enter the plant. He said, “The union had come to an agreement to let male office workers in, but 150 women office workers would have to go home.”

“No, no, we won’t let them in,” was shouted by many of the strikers. Mengacci warned there might be “bloodshed” if it became necessary for the State Police to restrain the workers. One angry worker retorted, “Custer made his last stand; we’ll make it here.”

Mengacci said any violence would be useless, since the company was trying to get an injunction to prevent the pickets from blocking employes who wanted to enter the plant.

Cyrus Blanchard, vice president of Local 308 at the Uniroyal Chemical plant across town also pleaded with the strikers. The male salaried workers began filtering into the plant with little resistance at about 8:30 a.m., although some were bumped as they passed pickets. The women workers had already started home and did not try to come in with the men.

The scene then quieted, although the pickets and other striking employes maintained their vigil outside the gates.

Seventeen of the 21 arrested today were charged with breach of the peace and were released on cash bonds of $150 each, posted by union officials. On Thursday, arrested employes were freed without posting bond.

In contrast to Thursday, when all of those arrested walked over to the police station a block away, today four had to be dragged, although most went quietly. The four were charged with breach of the peace by assault, and their bonds were $200 each.

Mengacci and William Fernandes, a union representative, will appear in Superior Court this afternoon, when the company seeks to obtain a restraining order.

The strike is in now its 15th day. Negotiations are being conducted on a national level in Cincinnati where issues involve a guaranteed annual wage.

To maintain order, Chief Mariano has brought in added policemen on an overtime basis as well as supernumeraries. Many of the policemen involved in the fighting are related to the strikers and one patrolman said, “I have half my family working there.”

A number of the policemen complained about being caught in the middle between the union and office personnel.

Yesterday’s scuffling stemmed from union concerns that Uniroyal would try to ship merchandise from a struck warehouse. In the morning, pushing began as office employes tried to enter the building. Later in the day, a U.S. mail truck was blocked when it tried to leave the company grounds. The pickets converged on it but let it pass after a few minutes’ delay.

Talks Resume Today In Uniroyal Dispute

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Talks Resume Today In Uniroyal Dispute

4-26-67 [handwritten]

NAUGATUCK — Negotiations between Uniroyal, Inc., and the United Rubber Workers will resume in Cincinnati today at 10:30 a.m.

As yet, no official word on the actual progress of the negotiations up to last Friday has been received although neither side has denied statements in the press to the effect that a major stumbling block in the negotiations is the union’s demand for a guaranteed annual wage.

Although the company announced it had offered a “substantial increase in wages and various improvements in employe benefits,” it made no comment about the guaranteed annual wage.

While negotiations continue in Ohio, the various locals continue to picket the plant’s operations. Picketing in Naugatuck remains peaceful, and it has been reported that many workers are volunteering to work on the picket lines.

Strike Benefits

Local 218 Treasurer Robert McDermott said Tuesday that members of the local, which operates in the Naugatuck Chemical division of Uniroyal, may appear at local headquarters on Curtis St. today and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. to apply for strike benefits.

Locals 45 and 308 have not yet received the necessary material to enable its members to apply for the benefits. Mrs. Rita Ruggiero, secretary of Local 45, said that officials of the local were thinking in terms of Thursday or Friday.

Action before that time, said Mrs. Ruggiero, would be impossible because the necessary material has not come in. She anticipates a heavy amount of paperwork when the forms do arrive, as the local has approximately 4,500 members.

Footwear Payroll

Officials at the footwear plant announced Tuesday that payrolls for hourly employes of the plant will be paid on the following days:

The regular Wednesday payroll will be made today after 1 p.m. at the payroll office. The second and third shifts will be paid Thursday after 2 p.m. at the office, and the first shift will be paid Friday at the Water St. gate from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Way Cleared For Strike

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Way Cleared For Strike

NAUGATUCK—It was reported Wednesday that United Rubber Workers Local 218 armed its negotiators Tuesday with authority to call a strike should contract negotiations with Uniroyal management fail to produce an agreement by the contract expiration date.

Negotiations opened Tuesday in Cincinnati, with the three local Rubber Workers Union represented at the conference. The present contract, signed in June, 1965, expires April 20.

A spokesman said the local, representing workers at the Naugatuck Chemical Division, approved the strike vote by a vote of 490 to 70.

[Handwritten notation in upper right corner appears to read: “3-3” or similar numbers]

US Rubber Proxy Statement – Page 20

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Page 020

UNIROYAL CHEM-texts
Vol. 1 PUBLISHED FOR THE PEOPLE OF UNIROYAL CHEMICAL No. 2

URW STRIKE ENDS AFTER 97 DAYS
PACT IS COSTLIEST IN OUR HISTORY

The longest and costliest strike in the 75-year history of the Company is over. Company and union negotiators reached an accord at 9:30 p.m. on July 26. The agreement between Uniroyal and the United Rubber Workers is the largest settlement ever reached by the company. Its total cost including wage increases, pensions, insurance and other benefits is more than 50 cents per hour — a 6 per cent increase each year for a total of 18 per cent over the three-year length of the contract.

Eachstriking employee lost an average of 14 weeks of pay. They also borrowed some of their vacation money in 1968 to pay for the cost, to say nothing of the interest lost on savings accounts or cashing in savings bonds to pay daily expenses.

The company saw its profits disappear in the second quarter of the year because of the fixed costs which continue without the benefit of offsetting production. Second quarter earnings had been at a record $14,309,000 during the strike. This year, because of the strike, they were $15,551,000 less or $12,753,000. Before taxes, the loss was more than $25,000,000. The strike also hit home at the company’s sales force, many of whom were without goods to sell. Salesmen were told good customers would never be able to get their merchandise long and specialized long and seriously on how they were going to get their back once the strike was over.

It is no wonder that the end brought a continuous state of relief which was echoed throughout all plant and branch offices. A tire salesman overheard out of the company’s huge Los Angeles branch put it tersely. “Tell those people back at the plants to get going! I need quality merchandise quickly if I’m going to get back those customers I lost.”

EMPLOYEE PUBLICATION NAMED

The Naugatuck Chemical employee newsletter has a new name – “Chem Texts”. It was selected from over 100 entries by the plant staff with an assist from the Public Relations department. “Chem Texts” was selected as the result of a suggestion made by Sal Lantiere of the Physical Testing Laboratory. It was one of four entries by Sal who received a $25.00 savings bond for his idea.

Second prize of a $15.00 gift certificate at the company store was won by Mary Regan of the Physical Testing Laboratory for her entry — “Chemtext”. Third prize of a $10.00 gift certificate was awarded to Doug Jones of the Rubber Compounding laboratory for his entry — “Chemesyn”.

A second group of the name “Chemesyn” was received from Mary Raby, wife of Harold Raby of the Synthetic Processing Department. However, her entry was dated after the winning entry was selected.

We wish to congratulate the winners and thank everyone who entered the contest.

MR. & MRS. JACK MALA RETIRE

Marie and Jack Mala retired from the company on September 8 with a combined total of 52 years of company service between them. They are the second couple to retire together in a year. Marie retired from the Raw Stock department with 21 and one-half years of service. Jack has been with us for 30 and one half years and retired from the Reclaim Production department.

EMPLOYEES URGED TO JOIN OUR PAYROLL SAVINGS PLAN IN SEPTEMBER BOND DRIVE

Employees who are in our payroll savings plan, or who join this year, will be able to purchase new Treasury “Freedom Shares” which earn 4.75 per cent when held to maturity, according to Thomas J. Kiernan, manager of personnel relations at “1230”.
He emphasized that Freedom Shares can be purchased in limited amounts by each plan participant during the “September Bond Drive”.
Savings bonds and Freedom Shares are not only investments that return a high rate of interest but are also of enormous benefit to the country, Mr. Kiernan said. “I urge everyone not enrolled in our payroll savings plan to sign up during our September enrollment drive. Our goal is to have at least 50 per cent of all employees participating in the plan.”
Chemical plant employees will be contacted during the drive and the advantages of buying savings bonds and Freedom Shares under the payroll savings plans will be explained to them.

MARY REGAN
DOUG JONES

Above: Contest winner Sal Lantiere of the Physical Testing Laboratory in #112 building. Sal has spent all of his 22 years with the company in the laboratory section.

ANNUAL BLOODMOBILE VISIT

On August 23 the Red Cross Bloodmobile came to the Chemical plant visit. Vacations and other scheduling problems reduced the number of available donors so we only 122 pints were collected against our 150 pint quota. However, the shortage of donors did not mean we did not wish to postpone the visit any longer. Those of you who were unable to give this time can donate to the Beacon Falls community visit in October or the next June 12 annual visit will give us another chance to regain our ideal 175 pints per visit.

An honor roll of all of those who gave will be posted throughout the plant. We wish to congratulate late Alan Woodruff who received a one-gallon pin and Louis Schuller who received a two-gallon pin and all those new and old who contributed to this visit.

SAL LANTIERE WINS CONTEST

Rubber Firms Offer Rejected By Union

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Rubber Firms Offer Rejected By Union

6-10-67 (handwritten)

NAUGATUCK—United Rubber Workers negotiators Friday rejected a new three-year contract proposal offered by the five major rubber producers, including Uniroyal.

This is apparently the second time during the week that the union has rejected company proposals.

URW Pres. Peter Bommarito termed Friday’s offer “inadequate” and said the union would continue its strike against Uniroyal, B. F. Goodrich and Firestone.

A statement appearing in a local newspaper Friday, attributed to Bommarito, said that the union was prepared to strike another 30 days.

While many of the striking United Rubber Workers in the borough expressed dismay about the possibility that they would have to continue the strike that much longer, Local 45 officials expressed reservations about whether Bommarito had said this.

One official, contacted Friday night, said that an attempt to check out the statement brought no results and it could not be determined whether Bommarito had made the remark.

A letter sent to Footwear Plant workers Thursday by Factory Manager John Smith stated that the union had rejected a three-year proposal Tuesday. Upon rejecting the proposal, said Smith, the union presented a counter proposal.

Management then apparently made a second proposal which, according to press services, was rejected during Friday’s session.

Talks between the URW and the rubber companies recessed until Monday.

In his letter to Footwear employes, Smith stated that the three-year proposal by the company offered wage increases, additional pay for skilled workers, liberalized vacation pay, supplemental unemployment benefits up to 75 per cent of average pay, a 60 per cent increase in regular pensions, an increase in company-paid life insurance, an increase in the coverage for the maximum stay in the hospital from 365 to 730 days, an increase in sickness and accident benefits and other items.

Wage increases in the tire plants, said Smith, amounted to 38 cents over three years, and in non-tire plants they amounted to 31 cents. The management also offered two weeks vacation pay for employes with one year of seniority and three weeks for employes with five years.

Miscellaneous contract clauses, he added, included “up to 40 hours pay depending on the size of the plant for union time study men.”

Regular pensions were increase a 60 per cent from $3.25 to $5.25 per month per year of service, said Smith.

These increases, said Smith “total about 70 cents per hour over a three-year period. This is approximately a five per cent yearly increase in wages and benefits for employes over the entire three years,” added the manager.

A Uniroyal spokesman said Friday the UFW’s demands would cost “at least $1.40 an hour.”

The union estimated that General Tire and Rubber Co.’s offer, which includes wage increases averaging 40 cents an hour over three years, will cost the company 63 or 64 cents an hour.

The companies Friday valued their offers at more than 70 cents an hour.

The above increases in wages and benefits togal about 70¢ per hour over a three year period.

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The above increases in wages
and benefits togal about 70¢
per hour over a three year
period. This is approximately
a 5% yearly increase in wages
and benefits for employees over
the entire three years. It is the
equivalent of the settlement ne-
gotiated in other industries
which have been referred to
by the Union as necessary to
resolve these negotiations. It
was the most substantial and
costly offer ever made by this
Company to the Union.

This proposal was rejected
by the Union late in the after-
noon of June 6. The Union, in
rejecting the above Company of-
fer, made a counter proposal
which excluded any considera-
tion of pensions and insurances
and held to a number of costly
demands which were made be-
fore the strike started.

Sincerely,
Jack M. Smith
Factory Manager

The release of the letter,
and articles read in the paper
were the only announcements
of the proposals the union mem-
bership received. No meetings
were called to allow the general
membership to express their
pleasure or displeasure of the
company’s offer.

Local 45 has held only one
membership meeting, since the
members authorized the nego-
tiators to call a strike. Presi-
dent George Froehlich, then
complained that the company
was not bargaining and only
throwing “bits of silver” on the
table. He said that the union

was seeking decent treatment
for the employes and also com-
plained of the differential be-
tween tire workers and non-
tire workers.

Tire workers now average
about $3.69 an hour while other
rubber industry production
workers average $2.68 an hour.

The three-year contract is
also said to be a stumbling
block in settlement.

Vice-president of Local 45,
Raymond Mengacci, told the
NEWS this morning, that he was
aware of the letter, but had not
as yet had time to read and
digest its contents. He said
that he will be prepared to
comment on it after he has
had time to study it.

Uniroyal Strike Talks Reopen In 53rd Day

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Uniroyal Strike Talks Reopen In 53rd Day

6-13-67

NAUGATUCK— Bargaining sessions between the United Rubber Workers and five major rubber producers, including Uniroyal, reopened Monday in Ohio as a strike against three of the companies entered its 53rd day.

Although negotiators for the URW and Uniroyal management could either not be contacted or refused to comment Monday night, reliable sources pointed to the progress made during the past week and held out hope that a settlement might be reached before another week passes.

Although union members in the borough have expected that pensions would be discussed in September offers from the rubber companies, including Uniroyal, have lately included the pension and fringe benefit items.

Management sources have indicated a reluctance to face the cost of wage increases with the possible threat of a second strike in September over pension items.

While the latest word from Uniroyal was that wage increases in its offer were 38 cents for tire workers and 31 for non-tire workers it was learned that General Tire had boosted its wage increases to 40 cents for tire workers.

General Tire, however, has only 3,000 workers in two tire plants. In addition, General Tire is said to have boosted its supplemental unemployment benefits to 80 per cent, and offered a provision for six weeks of vacation for employes with over 30 years service.

It could not be determined Monday night whether Uniroyal had made a similar offer.

Reliable sources have called General Tire and Goodyear, who are both working on a day-to-day basis, pattern companies.

According to the sources, a settlement between the URW and these companies is expected to set a pattern for settlement with Uniroyal, B. F. Goodrich and Firestone, the struck companies.

During the past two weeks, all companies have been talking a three-year pact with the union, and some union sources have indicated a feeling that the final settlement would be for three years.

Local 45 Vice President Raymond Mengacci, in a statement to local newspapers Monday, said that although he didn’t want to enter a debate with Footwear Plant manager John Smith, he felt compelled to answer a letter sent to employes last week by the company.

Mengacci noted that both the company and the union committees “were having a hard enough time in Cincinnati, Ohio, to negotiate an agreement in Naugatuck,” without doing it through the newspapers.

Mengacci said when the union negotiating committee left for Cincinnati it was for the sole purpose of making a sincere effort to negotiate a contract and wage agreement with Uniroyal before the April 20 deadline. Negotiations began in Cincinnati March 21, and “it wasn’t until April 12 that the company made its first and final offer to the union on contract and wages, eight days before the deadline.

“This,” Mengacci stated, “has never happened in the history of my experiences on the negotiating committee or that of Pres. George Froehlich, that the first offer was also the last. No one can call this negotiating. This has never been done before. It wasn’t until a few days later that the union found out that this was being done in all of the Big Four rubber companies, not just Uniroyal. The union also found out these companies had made a mutual pact designed to protect any struck company against financial losses.

“We in the union were always led to believe these companies were in competition with one another, but found it is not so. They have a much better union than we have.”

Plant Manager Smith, in his letter, said the company had made an effort to open the pension and insurance agreement. “This, Mengacci said, “was correct, but the union informed the company this agreement does not terminate until Sept. 15, 1967, and the union was in no position to negotiate this agreement as it had not been discussed with their membership to determine what changes were wanted. Also they had made no preparation on pension and insurance to discuss this question intelligently with the company.

“Mr. Smith stated the union did not present to the company their full proposal until 11 a.m. April 19, just 37 hours before the strike deadline. This is correct, but why? The union felt if they received from the company the correct interpretation of the clauses in the working agreement now, and the way they were intended to be interpreted, at least in the union’s viewpoint, before there was a change in the head negotiator for the company, they would not have to make any changes.

“The union found out the company’s new head negotiator was not given the same interpretation. Therefore, the union came in with some new proposals as the union would not be able to live with some of the interpretations that were given to the new head negotiator, under Article 9, working conditions.

“These conditions are important to our members especially those working in the making and stitching departments. Production in many cases has increased by 25 to 30 per cent in the last few years, with the same amount of operators and in many cases less.

“Many of the employes can verify their weekly earnings are less now even though they have received two wage increases in the past few years. They cannot make anywhere near the efficiency they were making a few years ago and this is the reason the union had to make some late proposals to the company. If the company wanted to make a sincere effort to reach an agreement, they still had plenty of time to do so.”

Mengacci asserted the union does not believe the non-tire plants are putting the company in a “severe economic squeeze,” if they grant the same wage increases as the tire companies.” He noted wages increase of 41.6 per cent have been given to George R. Vila, president of Uniroyal, and 36.6 per cent to Walter D. Baldwin, vice president. “The union is not saying these men do not deserve the increase, but if the company wants to talk percentages, then talk percentages from top to bottom,” the Union official said.

“We are happy the company has seen fit to increase the vacation allowance for employes with one to five years of seniority, but what about the employe with 10 or more years of seniority.”

The union official also said that, although the company had improved some of the contract clauses, the union questions why the company would not give a letter of commitment, “which would not cost a penny to treat union members with decency and respect. If management expects our members to treat them with decency and respect, then we expect the same treatment. A written commitment would have gone a long way in reaching a settlement.”

No comments were made on the pension and insurance pact offered by the company. Mengacci said it had to be studied before a statement was made. However, he said he “was happy to see the company is negotiating with the union, even though it took from April 12 to June 5 to make their latest offer. The union rejection was a take-it-all or reject-it-all offer, which the union could not live with.

“I can assure Mr. Smith that George Froehlich and the rest of the union’s committee of Local 45 will do everything in their power to bring this dispute to a settlement as fast as possible,” Mengacci concluded.

Local 45 President To Brief Membership

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Local 45 President To Brief Membership

Local 45 President George Froehlich has foregone the negotiating session today in Cincinnati, Ohio to meet with the membership of his union this afternoon at 3 o’clock in the high school auditorium.

Froehlich announced Saturday that he will conduct a briefing session for the membership on the status of the negotiations.

Reportedly the sessions last week broke off Friday in a stalemate. Froehlich said that although he could not paint a bright picture for his people today, he was always hopeful for a settlement.

Froehlich confirmed that one of the main stumbling blocks to settlement is working conditions. However, he said this is only one of the problems being negotiated.

The meeting today is for the membership only, with the public and press reportedly barred.

The record-breaking rubber industry strike is now entering its 60th day. URW Locals voted Saturday to strike General Tire’s Waco, Texas, plant at midnight tonight and its Akron, Ohio, plant at midnight Wednesday. URW workers at these plants had been working without a contract on a day-to-day basis previously.

With this latest URW move, only one of the “big five” rubber companies is maintaining regular production. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. employes are continuing to work on a day-to-day basis.

URW President Peter Bommarito, who describes the union demands as “attainable,” said his men want higher increases and a 95 per cent supplementary plan.

Picketing at the borough plants of UniRoyal has remained quiet and peaceful with striking URW members taking their turn on the picket line as matter of course.

A report from Akron said that 75 URW members have been accepted for Summit County welfare payments. Many others are said to be filling out applications for welfare.

Locally, the Welfare Department reported an increase in

its payments to outside poor; however, Supt. of Welfare Katherine Brennan reported this was

not entirely due to strikers added to the rolls.

Please turn to Page 10

Local 45 President

Continued From Page 1 6-A

The Welfare Department is watching its budget carefully to see whether it will need additional funds to help our URW members.

Long-Range Peace

Union Seeking

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ucts.

Union Seeking 6-72

Continued From Page 1

Local, the firm’s lawyers attempted to reach higher-up management either in Cincinnati or New York City, but were unsuccessful.

The management personnel then relayed to Judge Gaffney, Mengacci said, that they couldn’t tell the judge what the plant planned to do today.

The judge then informed lawyers for the union they should draw up a restraining order against UniRoyal and he would sign it this morning if there was any evidence the firm violated the agreement.

The judge indicated he would issue an injunction against UniRoyal if there was a violation of the restraining order, Mengacci said.

This situation puts the company and the union on virtually the same ground, if it comes to pass later today.

Mengacci said he thought court action would be held at about 2 p.m. today.

A few weeks ago a restraining order against the Union was issued in Superior Court following some minor clashes in the borough on picket lines and the arrest of about 50 pickets in two or three days of strife.

Federal Mediation

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Federal Mediation

area.

Federal Mediation 6-22

Continued From Page 1

for fear it would obligate him
to UAW leader Walter Reuther
who is at odds with AFL-CIO
leaders.

Simkin has told the press that
he wants the negotiations in
Pittsburgh to be more than ex-
ploratory. He is hoping for a
settlement.

Local 45 Vice-President
Raymond Mengacci reported
yesterday that more than $100,-
000 has been contributed to the
strike benefit fund by union
people still working.

Uniroyal Strike Talks To Resume

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Uniroyal

Strike Talks

To Resume

NAUGATUCK — Talks on a master contract between the United Rubber Workers and Uniroyal are scheduled to resume today. There were no talks between company and union negotiators Monday.

In Detroit, striking Uniroyal workers, discouraged by the lack of progress in the talks, prevented management personnel from entering the plant.

An estimated 1,300 strikers took part in a demonstration which included egg throwing. Police were at the scene, but no arrests were made, although some of the policemen were reportedly hit by the eggs.

Uniroyal management in the borough is scheduled to appear in court today in Waterbury to show cause why an injunction against the Naugatuck plants should not be issued.

Handwritten notation in top right corner: 6-27-67

Hearing to Resume on Plea Of Union for Uniroyal Stay

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Hearing to Resume on Plea Of Union for Uniroyal Stay

Hearing to Resume on Plea Of Union for Uniroyal Stay

A hearing was to resume this morning in Waterbury Superior Court on an application by the United Rubber Workers for an injunction against Uniroyal, Inc., which has plants in Beacon Falls and Naugatuck.

The union filed its application last Thursday, after the company began production of samples of new footwear designs.

The company agreed at that time to halt production until after a court hearing.

The hearing opened Tuesday before Judge Leo V. Gaffney. Three hours of testimony was taken in the afternoon from three union members.

At the center of the controversy is a written agreement, signed April 18 by both parties, three days before the nationwide rubber workers’ strike began.

The agreement provides for the orderly shutdown and maintenance of the Naugatuck Footwear plant during the strike.

It includes a clause stipulating that “the company agrees that for the duration of the strike there will be no work performed by nonbargaining unit employes that is normally performed by bargaining unit personnel.”

Local 45 of the URW maintains last Thursday’s production violates the agreement.

Company Defense

While not clearly stating what its defense would be, the company yesterday indicated it would argue the April 18 agreement was voided when the union allegedly violated a provision intended to insure unimpeded entrance and exit to the plant through specified gates.

Three days of clashes between union members and police early in May, when pickets attempted to keep office personnel from entering the plant, resulted in the arrest of 71 union members and a warning from Judge Gaffney that he would issue an injunction against the union if the violence was not stopped.

In testimony yesterday, Raymond Mengacci, vice president of Local 45, said he had “no doubt” violence would erupt at the plant unless the court issues an order restraining the company from producing sample shoes with nonunion supervisory personnel.

“We will have some very bad violence. You can expect bloodshed in Naugatuck,” Mengacci said.

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Uniroyal Cites Loss Potential

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Uniroyal Cites Loss Potential

6-28-67 [handwritten]

Uniroyal, Inc. will suffer a very severe financial loss “forcing a reduction in production” at its Naugatuck Footwear plant if it is not permitted to produce samples of its new designs, a company official said today.

Thomas J. Nelligan, labor relations manager, testified at a Superior Court hearing this morning that failure of the company to have samples to show its customers in August will mean a very large drop in the amount of production needed for the coming year and “in turn less employes.”

Nelligan was the first company representative to testify at a hearing to consider United Rubber Workers Union application for an injunction against the company production.

He said samples for next summer’s market would normally have been produced between April and July of this year.

He said salesmen would have been scheduled to take the samples into the field beginning Aug. 1.

Without the samples, he said the company will have no way of proving “to its buyers that its line is better than its competitors.”

At the opening of the session Tuesday before Judge Leo V. Gaffney, a Local 45 official predicted “there would be bloodshed in Naugatuck if the company is permitted to resume production with non-union members.”

The union filed its application for an injunction against Uniroyal last Thursday after the company began production of samples of new footwear designs. The company agreed at that time to halt production until after a court hearing.

April 18 Agreement

At the core of the controversy is a written agreement signed by both parties April 18, three days before the nation-wide rubber workers strike began.

The agreement provides for orderly shutdown and maintenance of the borough Footwear Plant during the strike.

It includes a clause stipulating that “the company agrees that for the duration of any strike there will be no work performed by non-bargaining unit employes that is normally performed by bargaining unit personnel.”

Local 45 claims Thursday’s production violates that agreement.

While not clearly stating what its defense would be, the company Tuesday indicated it will argue that the April 18 agreement was rendered void when the union allegedly violated a provision intended to insure unimpeded entrance and exit to the plant through certain gates.

(Cont’d on Page 2—UNIROYAL)

UniRoyal Cites Need For Sample Shoes

by

UniRoyal Cites Need For Sample Shoes

By Ruth Nichols

Production at the UniRoyal Footwear plant will be suspended for at least another week to allow time for briefs to be filed and Judge Leo V. Gaffney to come to a decision on whether a restraining injunction should be granted against the firm.

Two days of testimony from both Local 45 and UniRoyal Footwear Division management ended yesterday afternoon in Waterbury Superior Court. Judge Gaffney asked that written briefs be submitted to him by next Wednesday by both attorneys and stated that he will make his decision within a couple of days after reviewing the briefs and transcripts of the court proceedings.

Local 45 ended its testimony yesterday after calling Joseph Foley to the stand. Foley, a 21-year employe of the plant, member of the Union negotiating team and strike captain, was questioned on what might happen if the company was allowed to produce sample shoes.

Foley told the court that there would be violence on the picket line. He also testified that large numbers of supervisory personnel passed through the picket lines daily without incident.

Atty. J. Kenneth Bradley opened UniRoyal’s testimony by calling Thomas Nelligan, Labor Relations Manager, to the stand.

Nelligan told the court that 4,500 footwear plant employes are out on strike while 850 non-bargaining employes are working. All UniRoyal plants in the borough, with the exception of the footwear plant, are producing.

Nelligan cited the need for the sample shoes by August 1st. If the shoes were not ready to show by that date, according to Nelligan, there would be a reduction of production and a need for less employes.

Nelligan, under questioning, stated that if production of samples was allowed there would be no loss to striking employes but their wages. The Judge ruled that this answer should be stricken. Nelligan said he had no way of knowing what the cost to URW members and their families would be overall.

Nelligan said that these sample shoes could not be produced elsewhere. That it would take about 200 people, six weeks to two months to produce the necessary number of sample shoes. He said the bargaining people had been offered, through the union, the work first.

Factory Manager Jack Smith told the court that it was Monday or Tuesday of last week that the decision was made to start production on sample shoes.

Attorney Daniel Baker, URW counsel, questioned Nelligan about production at other UniRoyal plants. He asked if these samples couldn’t be made at one of the other company shoe producing plants that was currently in production.

Nelligan told the court that this was not possible because a different type of shoe was made at these plants.

Baker then opened the question of management starting its inventory using non-bargaining personnel. He also returned to the subject of the “Gray Building.”

How many shoes were produced in the building? Nelligan stated that the first three or four sample shoes were made in the building. The union sought inspection of the “gray building.”

Judge Gaffney asked if a member of the Industrial Relations Department accompanied the union inspection team on its tour.

Smith told the court about the pickets not allowing personnel into the plant in the early days of the strike. He said on the first day of mass picketing he conferred with Naugatuck Police Capt. Joseph Summa and sent management personnel home. He said all this occurred after the union had been notified 24-hours in advance of the company’s intention to ship.

Smith testified that on the May 15th meeting with union representatives, the company made known its intention to start production, first offering the work to bargaining personnel. He told the court he, at that time, told the union he believed there was no longer an agreement; however, it was then believed settlement was imminent and the company did not press for production.

Again on the subject of sample shoes, Smith said that production could not be carried on in the “Keds” line, produced here in the borough, in another company plant without moving equipment in large numbers to another location.

Smith spoke of the work the union had allowed to continue in the “Gray Building.” He said that the union knew that certain materials were produced in the main plant to carry on this work and hadn’t objected.

He said that this was the only footwear plant in the United States to be shut down and declared it was necessary to have sample shoes ready by the August 1st date.

Smith said that if samples were not ready, salesmen would miss sales and this, in turn, would lower sales, lower fill-in sales, and thus reduce production in the Naugatuck Footwear plant.

Smith, again questioned about the agreement and the May 15th meeting, told the Judge that he did not remember coming back into the meeting room after making a telephone call and telling union representative that he would “honor the agreement.”

Baker asked Smith had he given the union 24-hours notice of intent to ship. And had not the company made an oral agreement that no personnel would enter the plant after 6 p.m.

Then Baker asked had not the fact that personnel came into the

Please Turn to Page 12

Beacon Falls

Beacon Hose Co. Firemen To Parade

BEACON FALLS – Captain Walter C. Carlson of Beacon Hose Co. No. 1 has announced that members will attend the Firemen’s Parade in Oxford this evening.

Members are requested to meet at the firehouse at 6:30 in full dress uniforms.

Uniroyal Official Says 81-Day Strike Having Severe Impact On Earnings

by

Uniroyal Official Says 81-Day Strike Having Severe Impact On Earnings

8-10-63 [handwritten]

NAUGATUCK —The chairman and president of Uniroyal, Inc. reported in a letter to stockholders this weekend that the impact of the 81-day strike on earnings and income is severe.

George R. Vila, chairman and president, said that the “impact on earnings is severe because fixed costs in the striking plants continue without the production necessary to absorb them. As a consequence, net income for the second quarter will be sharply lower than the $1.06 a common share in 1966.”

Raymond Mengacci, executive vice president of Local 45 UIW, said today that he had read the letter and was not surprised at its content.

He said that the letter was almost the same as forwarded to the striking employes of the Footwear Division in May. He also said that it contained the original offer made by the company to URW and to his knowledge the offer has not been changed since then. Many of the strikers are also share holders of Uniroyal under a co-operative stock plan.

The 19 plants idle due to the strike represent about 50 per cent of the employes and over 70 per cent of sales in the United States, Vila said.

“When the strike was called, the company had sizeable inventories in many product lines which helped to cushion the impact on sales,” he explained.

Negotiations with the union started March 21 with initial union demands for wage increases and employee benefits of more than $1.40 per hour for a two-year period, exclusive of pensions and insurance, Vila told the stockholders.

“Several days before the strike deadline of April 20, the company offered a proposal on wages and benefits which totalled 28 cents per hour for a two-year period,” he said. The company estimated that a new pension and insurance agreement to be negotiated in September would add between 20 and 25 cents per hour. The total increased cost would be about 50 cents per hour over a two-year period. The union rejected the offer prior to the deadline.

The company proposed that the employes continue to work while negotiations proceeded. However, this was also rejected.

The company offered on June 5 a three-year contract covering 12 principal points. It totals approximately 72 cents per hour including pensions and insurance, the chairman said.

“It involves increases of 10.5 per cent for the first year, 2.2 per cent the second and 2.2 per cent the third year. This offer has also been rejected by the union,” he said.

Contract Proposals

Specific proposals include the following: wages — in tire plants, an increase of 16 cents per hour in 1967, 11 cents in 1968 and 11 in 1969. In non-tire plants, an increase of 13 cents, followed by two yearly increases of 9 cents.

Skilled trades — 10 cent increases in addition to the above increases, in 1967; vacation pay — two weeks pay for employes with one year of seniority and three weeks vacation pay for five years. The present provision of four weeks pay after 15 years and five weeks after 25 years would continue.

There would also be supplemental unemployment benefits increased from 65 per cent of average pay (plus up to $2 for up to four dependents, with a maximum payment of $50) to 75 per cent of average pay with no maximums for all employes on regular layoff, plus other provisions. The company contributions to the supplemental unemployment fund would be increased from five cents to six cents per hour when the fund falls below 100 per cent. The fund increased from $250 to $350 per employe.

A 60 per cent increase in regular pensions from $3.25 to $5.25 per month per year of service was included. A 60 per cent increase in disability pensions from $6.50 to $10.50 per month per year of service, and an increase of $1.50 per month per year of service for living pensioners who were retired after July 1, 1950.

Other increases included those affecting life insurance, hospitalization, X-ray and radium therapy, visiting nurse, surgical payments and sickness and accident benefits.

Union Warns Strike May Spread

AKRON, Ohio (UPI) — Negotiations were to resume today in the 80-day old rubber industry strike with a warning from a union official here that the walkout could spread.

John Nardella, president of Local 2, United Rubber Workers, said “a strong possibility” existed a strike deadline would be called in negotiations with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Other union sources indicated the deadline might be midnight Wednesday.

Nardella said Goodyear negotiators had indicated the company was ready to make a move on its offer, but had not yet done so.

Nardella gave a detailed report Sunday to the Local 2 membership on progress in contract negotiations. He said union policy committee “would initiate a new course of action” if no settlement was reached soon.

Work at Goodyear has continued on a day to day basis since April 20 when the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Uniroyal Inc., and the B. F. Goodrich Co. were struck. General Tire & Rubber was struck June 21.

A strike against Goodyear would idle some 21,000 men at 11 plants in addition to the 54,000 men already on strike across the nation.

GAINS REPORTED IN RUBBER TALKS

by

THE NEW YORK TIMES,
7-11-67

GAINS REPORTED
IN RUBBER TALKS

Chief U.S. Mediator Moves
Back Into Negotiations

By DAVID R. JONES
Special to The New York Times

WASHINGTON, July 10—The
Government’s top labor medi-
ator moved back into the rub-
ber industry, labor negotiations
today, amid reports of prog-
ress in settling the industry’s
81-day-old strike.

William E. Simkin, director
of the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service, went to
Columbus, Ohio, to keep an
eye on bargaining there be-
tween the B. F. Goodrich Com-
pany and the striking United
Rubber Workers.

A union official said that
“real progress is being made”
in the talks with Goodrich.
Ward Keener, Goodrich presi-
dent, also said progress was
being made.

Meanwhile, the union set a
strike deadline of 12:01 A.M.
Thursday against the Goodyear
Tire and Rubber Company.
Goodyear, which employs 21,-
000, has been operating on a
day-to-day basis while ne-
gotiating on a new contract
to replace one that expired
April 20.

The union struck Goodrich,
the Firestone Tire and Rub-
ber Company and Uniroyal,
Inc., on that date and shut
down the General Tire and
Rubber Company several weeks
later. About 54,000 workers
have been made idle by the
strike.

Signs of Optimism

The precise reason for Mr.
Simkin’s trip to Columbus was
not disclosed, but there were
signs of some optimism that
a break might be near with
Goodrich. Mr. Simkin called
the union and the five com-
panies together a few weeks
ago in Pittsburgh in a bid for
agreement, but that failed.

Informed sources said Good-
rich and the union had re-
solved most of the important
noneconomic contract items and
were returning to the money
issues. The two sides bargained
throughout the weekend while
other negotiations, carried on
individually with each com-
pany, recessed yesterday.

All the companies except
General were last reported to
have offered the union a wage
increase of 40 cents an hour,
plus a supplemental unemploy-
ment benefit of 75 per cent of
straight-time hourly wages for
those laid off. General offered
43 cents an hour and an 80
per cent layoff benefit.

The union’s tire workers now
average $3.68 an hour, while
nontire workers average $2.69.
A key union demand has been
to raise the layoff benefit from
the present 65 per cent of
wages to between 92.5 and 95
per cent.

The negotiations have been
complicated by the presence of
a new union president, Peter
Bonmarito, who was elected
this year on a militant plat-
form and has been under pres-
sure to achieve big gains.

Strike Call Voted At Goodyear

by

Strike Call Voted At Goodyear

7-12-67

AKRON, Ohio (UPI) — The United Rubber Workers (URW) will strike the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Thursday midnight if no contract agreement is reached, a union spokesman said Tuesday.

The URW already is on strike against four other major rubber companies. Three of them have been closed for the past 82 days.

Kenneth Oldham, a member of the union’s Goodyear policy committee of the URW, said about 22,000 union members will walk off their jobs at 11 Goodyear factories from coast to coast if a satisfactory agreement is not reached by Thursday night.

About 51,000 workers have been on strike against Firestone, Goodrich and Uniroyal of Naugatuck, Conn., since April 20, when contracts expired.

Another 3,000 URW members struck two General Tire plants June 15.

The strike is the longest in industry history.

With Goodyear also struck, about 75 per cent of industry capacity will be idled, and the flow of tires and other materials to the defense industry will be sharply cut.

Shortage of defense products, according to some observers, may be sufficient to allow the federal government to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act, and force the rubber workers back to work for an 80-day “cooling-off period.”

by
Untitled Clipping

Negotiators Report:

7-13-67 [handwritten]

Only Economic Issues Block Strike Settlement

AKRON, Ohio (UPI) — With four major rubber companies closed by a record long strike, the United Rubber Workers (URW) prepared to walkout at midnight tonight against the fifth and largest firm, Goodyear Tire & Rubber.

Industry capacity would be cut by 75 per cent with the addition of Goodyear to the list of struck firms.

The flow of tires and other materials to the auto and defense industries would be sharply reduced.

Goodyear’s 21,000 workers would bring to 75,000 the number idled across the country.

The union went on strike against Firestone Tire & Rubber, B. F. Goodrich and Uni-

Royal, Inc., April 20, and employes at two of General Tire & Rubber Co.’s nine plants walked out June 21.

Possible Intervention

A reduction in the flow of defense material raised the possibility the federal government would invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to send workers back for an 80-day cooling off period.

William E. Simkin, chief of the Federal Mediation Service, went to Columbus, Ohio, earlier in the week to assist in negotiations with B. F. Goodrich, the largest supplier of aircraft tires with between 35 and 40 per cent of the nation’s production.

The URW also struck the Schenuit Rubber Co. of Balti-

more last Saturday. Schenuit’s entire production of aircraft tires goes to the federal government and represents 20 per cent of the government’s needs.

The contract at Goodyear expired with the others but work continued at the plants on a day-to-day basis while talks continued.

URW negotiators said Thursday only economic issues blocked a settlement with the five major firms. All other contractural matters were settled last Friday.

Benefit Plan

The union originally asked for a supplemental unemployment benefit plan which would

Please turn to Page 10

Town Hall

Optimism Reported In Rubber Pact Talks

by

Optimism Reported In Rubber Pact Talks

7-20-67 [handwritten notation]

AKRON, OHIO (UPI)—Signs of optimism were apparent today in the 90-day-old rubber industry strike.

There also were further sings of the walkout’s growing financial toll, as the B. F. Goodrich Co. reported its second quarter net income was down 92.5 per cent.

Goodrich and General Tire & Rubber Co. reached agreement with the United Rubber Workers (URW) last week.

Uniroyal, Inc., of Naugatuck, Conn., Firestone Tire & Rubber and Goodyear Tire & Rubber continued negotiations with the URW.

Among the hopeful signs was approval of the general three-year contract by Local 9 here. Despite a heated feud over the method of voting, the union’s executive board ruled Wednesday that a four-to-one favorable vote—first by show of hands and then a standing vote—would be upheld.

Production in some departments at the General plant here resumed last midnight. The company said it expected to be going full steam sometime next week. Local 312 in Waco, Tex., will vote on the same agreement Saturday.

Akron Local 5 will vote on the Goodrich agreement Sunday and locals at eight other Goodrich plants also were expected to vote during the weekend.

Industry spokesmen reported growing hopes other settlements would come soon.

At Uniroyal one official described it as an “optimistic but cautious” attitude.

Future settlements were expected to follow substantially the same pattern set in the General and Goodrich agreements.

The contracts provide all employes with wage increases of 43 cents over three years and an 80 per cent supplemental unemployment program.

The Goodrich agreement eliminated a pay raise differential between tire and none-tire workers and the URW was expecetd to ask the other firms to do the same. Non-tire workers were not involved at General.

Goodrich reported its net income fell to $1,007,732 or 11 cents a share from $13,403,086 for the second quarter last year. Sales for the quarters were off 10 per cent.

Goodrich was the first of the “Big Five” firms to release figures showing the nearly full impact of the strike. Goodrich plants have been closed for all but three weeks of the second quarter.

Firestone, Uniroyal and Goodrich were struck April 20, General on June 21, and Goodyear on July 6.

At its peak the strike had idled 76,000 men.

Rubber Strike Holds On Despite End-Soon Rumors

by
Rubber Strike Holds On Despite End-Soon Rumors

BEACON FALLS

7/12/67 [handwritten date in top right corner]

Rubber Strike Holds On Despite End-Soon Rumors

The 13-week-old rubber-industry strike is continuing, despite rumors that a settlement is imminent.

No new developments have been reported in negotiations between the two strikebound tire companies, Uniroyal and Goodyear, and the United Rubbers Workers (URW).

Uniroyal has plants at Beacon Falls and Naugatuck.

Agreements have been reached within the past eight days with Firestone, Goodrich and General Tire & Rubber Co. The strike, longest in rubber-industry history, has idled up to 76,000 workers across the nation.

Peter Bommarito, URW president, went yesterday to Cincinnati, where the talks are being conducted, to participate in the negotiations, with Goodyear and Uniroyal. Talks were scheduled to resume today.

What issue or issues prevented a settlement by the end of the week could not be learned.

Eleven URW locals in nine states began preparations for voting next week on a new three-year contract with the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.

URW and company negotiators reached tentative agreement on a new pact Thursday night that calls for hourly increases of 43 cents over the period.

The Firestone agreement closely parallels settlements reached earlier with B. F. Goodrich and General Tire & Rubber Co.

All 1000 Firestone production workers will receive immediate 15-cents-an-hour raises, followed by another 15-cent raise next year and 13 cents the third year.

A Union Goal Met

Tire workers averaged $3.68 an hour under the old contract while non-tire workers averaged $.68. The 43-cent raise applies to both tire workers and non-tire workers, which was a major union goal.

A union spokesman said the contract also contains a “big step” toward a guaranteed annual wage in the form of an unemployment supplemental benefit plan giving laid-off workers 80 per cent of their regular pay.

Union and company officials said work would resume at the Firestone plants immediately after the contract was ratified.

Many Footwear employes are entitled to four weeks and in some instances five weeks of vacation.

by

Many Footwear employes are
entitled to four weeks and in
some instances five weeks of
vacation. These workers are
permitted to take the extra
weeks at various intervals
through the year so as not to
conflict with the annual vaca-
tion shutdown.

Employes of the Chemical and
Synthetic Divisions now on
strike are allowed to stagger
their vacations. Accordingly,
the plant under normal condi-
tions do not close for any allot-
ted vacation-time as is the case
at Footwear.

Meanwhile, the negotiations

Rubber Workers, AFL-CIO and
Uniroyal have developed into a
cliff-hanging affair.

Reportedly, this past Friday,
the two teams were close to a
settlement on a new master
contract. However a hitch over
some clauses reportedly caused
a new disagreement.

The decision of Firestone to
settle this past Thursday was
the signal for considerable op-
timism here. It was expected
that Uniroyal would follow not
only Firestone, but also Gen-
eral and Goodrich, the other
companies that came to an
earlier agreement with URW.

A reliable report has indicat-
ed that some problems with
Article 9 are holding up the
agreement on the new contract.
The article refers to working
conditions, notably speed-up
of production operations.

URW workers affiliated with
Uniroyal including those of the
three divisions here, Footwear,
Chemical and Synthetic have
the dubious honor of participat-
ing in the longest strike in the
history of the rubber industry.

The strike against Uniroyal
s now in its 94th day. Back on
April 21, union workers of Uni-
oyal, Firestone and Goodrich
egan the marathon walkout.

Since Goodrich and Firestone
have now settled, Uniroyal is
he only one of the three left
utside the fold.

94-Day UniRoyal Strike Continues

by

94-Day UniRoyal Strike Continues

7-24-67 [handwritten]

No break has yet been reported in the 94-day United Rubber Workers-UniRoyal strike. According to sources an all-day session was held yesterday in Cincinnati with small committees meeting through the night.

URW International President Peter Bommarito moved into talks Friday between the union and the two remaining rubber companies, UniRoyal and Goodyear.

Hope ran high Friday in the borough that a settlement would be reached sometime during the day. However, another weekend has past and the mood has returned to the passive waiting of previous weeks.

Vacation pay checks are scheduled to be distributed tomorrow and Wednesday to employes of the Footwear Plant. Many workers have planned vacations for the next two weeks, settlement or not. Other employes have been waiting for these checks to give their finances a boost.

Chemical and Synthetic plant workers have been scheduling their vacations at various times during the strike. These plants do not have a general shutdown as does the footwear plant.

AKRON, Ohio (UPI)—United Rubber Worker locals in Akron and Miami, Okla., voted Sunday to accept a new contract from the B. F. Goodrich Co., bringing the 94-day strike, longest in rubber industry history, closer to an end.

The process of ratification continued at Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., and General Tire & Rubber Co. during the weekend. Negotiations with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and UniRoyal Inc., did not arrive at a settlement hoped for during the weekend.

Some 4,000 URW members jammed the auditorium of Akron University to shout approval of the new Goodrich contract. Local 5 here has 4,900 members, almost half of the 11,000 employes covered in the contract.

Voice Vote Approval

In Miami, where the Goodrich employes have been back working since Friday, Local 318 approved the contract by a voice vote. Other votes from other locals around the country were expected today at URW international headquarters here. A majority of locals must ratify the contract before it is officially accepted.

General’s two tire factories, here and in Waco, Tex., were expected back in full production this week, following the vote by Local 318 in Waco to ratify the contract Saturday. All 3,000 URW members in the General Tire factories have approved the contract.

Some 17,000 Firestone employes, in 11 locals in 9 states, were to begin voting on their settlement today.

A majority of the more than 75,000 strikers, however, are still idled. About 22,000 of them have been out since April 20th when UniRoyal was struck. The 21,000 at Goodyear did not strike until July 14.

A Goodyear spokesman declined to make any comment about what was holding up negotiations.

They were taking place in Cincinnati.

Conform To Pattern

The settlements, when they are achieved, were expected to conform closely to the pattern already set.

The three settlements will all provide raises of 43 cents per hour to production workers, in steps of 15, 15 and 13 cents. The contracts will include a supplemental unemployment benefit plan giving laid off workers 80 per cent of their regular wages.

Please turn to Page 10

Quick End To Strike

by
Quick End To Strike

82nd Year, Number 173

Dedicated To Community Public Service

[Handwritten note: 7-25-67]

STRIKING FOOTWEAR PLANT employes who have been without a pay for 13 weeks are shown collecting their vacation pays at the Water St. gate this morning. The UniRoyal Company is asking employes if they want to work during the scheduled shut-down, if the strike is settled, when they call for their checks. —(News photo by Baker)

Quick End To Strike

Continued From Page 1

AKRON, Ohio (UPI) —Labor peace returned to the rubber capital of the world today. The four largest rubber companies based here have signed contracts with the United Rubber Workers (URW).

The largest tire producer in the world, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., reached agreement Monday on a new three year contract. The settlement closely parallels the three others reached in the last 10 days of the strike by General Tire & Rubber Co., Firestone Tire & Rubber, and the B. F. Goodrich Co.

Only UniRoyal Inc., a New York based firm, remained without a contract among the “big five” rubber producers. Talks continued in Cincinnati, as the strike went into its 95th day there.

Recalling Workers

The 5,400 members of the URW Local 7, at the Firestone tire plant here, ratified the new contract by a 3-1 margin Monday night. The plant began calling workers back for the overnight shift, and full production was expected to start this morning.

Ratification votes on the Goodyear agreement were scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. The contract covers some 21,000 employes in 11 factories in 10 states.

Goodyear has five tire factories in Akron, Gadsden, Ala., Los Angeles; Jackson, Mich.; and Topeka, Kans.; and six plants making other products, in Windsor, Vt.; New Bedford, Mass.; North Chicago, Ill.; Lincoln, Neb.; St. Marys, Ohio, and Muncie, Ind.

The 8,400 members of Local 2 will vote here at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The president of the local, John Nardella, claimed the agreement gave Goodyear workers better benefits that the other three. The improvements

Back On Job

About 90 per cent of Goodrich workers were back on the job at the factory here, and General employes had been back on the job for more than a week.

The four agreements all provide for 43 cent increases for all production workers over the next three years, with an additional 10 cents to skilled workers. They all increase supplementary unemployment benefits from 65 per cent of normal pay to 80 per cent.

The four agreements break rubber industry precedents in wrapping up wages, working conditions, pensions and benefits in one three-year agreement. The Goodyear, Firestone and Goodrich settlements eliminate a wage increase differential between tire and non-tire workers.

In the old contracts, tire workers averaged $3.68 hourly and non tire workers $2.68. General employ no non-tire workers.

Protests, Arrests Marked Strike

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Protests, Arrests Marked Strike

The 98 days of the strike by the United Rubber Workers Locals 45, 308 and 218 against the Naugatuck Uniroyal plant were marked by rioting, arrests and court injunctions, as well as lengthy negotiations during much of the period.

Accord was reached last night to end the strike.

The union is set to ratify the agreement Saturday.

The strike was called on April 21 and affected 5,500 workers at the footwear, synthetics and chemical divisions of Uniroyal in Naugatuck and Beacon Falls.

The strike was third in eight years at the Naugatuck plant. In 1959 the walkout stopped production for three weeks, and in 1965 a strike lasted three days. The ’67 strike was the longest in rubber – industry history.

Nationally, the strike involved more than 50,000 persons and was the most widespread since 1959.

Early in May, 80 pickets were arrested for demonstrations against non – bargaining personnel attempting to enter the plant.

Uniroyal won an injunction that prevented the pickets from interfering with personnel or stopping trucks entering or leaving the gates at the three local plants.

About six weeks later, the union won an injunction restraining supervisory and other non-union employes from producing sample shoes during the strike.

All three locals at Naugatuck were involved in the strike. Local 45 represents 4,500 workers in Uniroyal’s footwear division; Local 218 represents 725 workers in the chemical plant, and Local 308 represents 240 workers in the synthetic plant.

Uniroyal was the last of the “Big Five” companies in the rubber industry to reach agreement with the rubber workers.

Strike Hurt Economy Of Valley

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Strike Hurt Economy Of Valley

By RICHARD S. EDINGER

Any 100-day labor strike will cause economic hardship to union members, their families and local merchants, especially in communities the size of Seymour and Beacon Falls.

On Saturday, the union members at Uniroyal, Inc. will vote on ratification of contract agreement made last night in Cincinnati.

The strike will be 100 days old and merchants agree the work stoppage has had some effect on business.

Many families in Beacon Falls and Seymour derive their income from the huge rubber facility four miles north of the center of Beacon Falls in Naugatuck.

There is also a Uniroyal warehouse in Beacon Falls, but few are employed there.

Some relief—temporary as it might be—is being received by employes this week in the form of vacation paychecks.

Some of these checks equal as much as five weeks pay. The total vacation pay distributed is $2-million.

The Strike Is Over

by
The Strike Is Over

Naugatuck

82nd Year, Number 175 | Dedicated To Community Public Service

Editorial

The Strike Is Over

The day that Naugatuck — and the whole Naugatuck Valley for that matter — has been waiting for has arrived.

The United Rubber Workers strike against UniRoyal has been settled, and within a few days the wheels should be turning once again almost as though they never had stopped.

Yet, unfortunately, there are scars left. It will be a long time before some people stop hurting. It is always so in every prolonged strike.

It is for that reason that we have never been able to condone strike action except as an utter last resort in a situation where injustice has made itself readily apparent. And this particular combination of circumstances is seldom to be found in these modern industrial times.

But never mind all of that now. Things are in the process of returning to something called “normal,” and for this the whole community can be happy.

It is perhaps enough at this point to recall that with the exception of some relatively minor incidents in the first few days of the strike, both labor and management showed commendable judgment in their corporate and individual behavior. We have no deep, unhealing scars to fester and poison.

Now it is important that every man and woman get back into the swing of things; that differences be forgotten and that every effort be made to profit by the unfortunate strike experience.

We have had a strike. Now it’s over, let’s forget about it and work together once again. That’s the way bigger and better communities are built.

Two Locals

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Two Locals

Continued From Page 1

more are needed to operate
additional production lines.

Strike benefit checks will be
issued as follows: Local 45,
tomorrow and Wednesday, 9
a.m. to 3 p.m.; Local 218,
Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Local 308, tomorrow 9 a.m.
to 6 p.m.

The longest strike in the his-
tory of the rubber industry has
ended with a new three-year
contract, providing a 43 per
cent per hour wage increase
over the three year period.

Other gains for union em-
ployees are an 80 per cent
guaranteed annual wage and a
company-paid surgical plan.

Additional specifics of the
contract will be announced when
all three locals have noted to
ratify.

Local 45 President George
Froehlich told his union mem-
bership that “A” good contract”
had been obtained and that many
gains by the union would prove
“fruitful in the future.”

UniRoyal officials reported
that their settlements with the
union were similar to settle-
ments reached by the other
major rubber industries.

When ratified, the master
contract will be effective as of
August 1. However, benefits
of the new contract will not be
realized until after mid-Sep-
tember when supplemental con-
tracts are signed by the locals.

Possible Discrimination

by

Possible Discrimination

Rzesutek reported that a change could occur in a contract gain in sickness and accident insurance, which offers compensation for men $10 higher than for women.

“The government may step in and say, you can’t discriminate,” Rzesutek warned. The insurance benefit was raised $10 each bring the men’s to $70 and the women’s to $60.

Another union gain was a $1,000 raise in life insurance, it was reported.

The company apparently held its ground in the negotiations by retaining a “non-duplication” clause in regards to benefits for both a husband and wife working at Uniroyal. Rzesutek told the membership that he was disappointed the clause was not erased in negotiations, when one of the- female workers complained of the non-duplication policy.

Local 308 will meet at 7 this evening at the Portuguese Hall, Rubber Ave., as the last of three divisions to vote on the three-year master contract.

If ratified, the contract is to take effect Aug. 1, but benefits would not be forthcoming until after mid-September when the supplemental agreements are to be signed by the locals.

Kentucky also is known as the Blue Grass State.

Synthetic Local Rejects UniRoyal Master Contract

by
Synthetic Local Rejects UniRoyal Master Contract

Synthetic Local Rejects UniRoyal Master Contract

Twenty-five per cent of the membership of Local 308, Synthetic Division, turned out last night to reject 32 to 26, the master contract recently agreed upon by the United Rubber Workers and UniRoyal, Inc.

Of the three Naugatuck locals, 308 was the only one to fail to ratify the contract. Local 45 approved it Saturday night, followed by Local 218 on Sunday.

Local President Edward Alves said that the reason for the rejection was that the contract did not offer time-and-a-half for Saturdays and a night shift bonus. He explained that presently, workers get time-and-a-half after 40 hours. He said that the membership was satisfied with all other aspects of the contract.

Union sources said that in order for the new contract to become effective it must be ratified by a majority of the UniRoyal URW membership and the majority of the company’s 19 locals.

The significance of Local 308’s failure to ratify the contract, continued Alves, is contingent only on the votes cast by the other locals. Synthetic Plant workers will continue to report to work.

According to the local president, the master contract will go into effect when the secondary contract is signed if the majority of UniRoyal locals vote for ratification.

Although the vote cast by the local will not hold up talks on the supplemental contract, Alves said that a date has not been set for the talks. A membership meeting, tentatively set for August 15, must be held first.

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

by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Management lawyer, Atty. J. Kenneth Bradley, said Friday that the production was ”partially” for the defense effort, and partially of items ”for use in other parts of the country.”

by

Management lawyer, Atty. J.
Kenneth Bradley, said Friday
that the production was “par-
tially” for the defense effort,
and partially of items “for use
in other parts of the country.”

He did not go into detail on
the use of the items except to
say the items “are not for use
by ourselves.”

Naugatuck Police Chief Frank
J. Mariano and Capt. Joseph
Summa were in the courtroom
for Friday’s session but were
not called upon to testify.

In asking for an end to the
picket line difficulties, Judge
Gaffney said it was easy for
him to understand them when it
appears to union members that
“someone is destroying … the
right to work and live.”

“I trust we will never have a
hearing” on the matter, the
judge said. He added that he
hoped he would not be forced to
issue an injunction against the
union.

Judge Gaffney on May 6 is-
sued an order for a show cause
hearing against Local 45 of the
United Rubber Workers in con-
nection with picketing at the
Footwear Division, also in Nau-
gatuck, but a hearing has never
been held.

It has been continued twice
and more continuances will be
entered as long as the picketing
remains peaceful, Judge Gaff-
ney said.

Seeks Same Effect

He said he hopes the issuance
of a show cause order against
Local 218 will have the same
pacifying effect on picketing ac-
tivities at the Chemical Plant.

The United Rubber Workers
has been on strike for five
weeks.

Negotiations in Cincinnati,
Ohio, on the master contract re-
cessed Friday until Wednesday

by

SATURDAY
MAY 27, 1967

UniRoyal

Continued From Page 1

According to Rzeszutek, the
only items shipped from the
Chemical were “slabs of re-
claim”, slabs of rubber re-
claimed from 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.

Rzeszutek, a veteran of com-
bat who “had been shot up a few
times” himself, resented the
implication that he and his union
were unpatriotic. He said he
could guarantee that not one
thing had been shipped from the
Chemical plant to Vietnam.

Management lawyer, Atty. J.
Kenneth Bradley, said Friday
that the production was “par-
tially” for the defense effort,
and partially “for use in other
parts of the country.” The only
additional information he would
give was that the items “are not
for use by ourselves.”

A company official was quot-
ed Thursday as saying the oper-
ation of plant by management
personnel was for the produc-
tion of some key items neces-
sary for the Vietnam defense
effort.

In asking for an end to picket
line difficulties, Gaffney sym-
pathized with the union mem-
bers who felt that “someone is
destroying. . .the right to live
and work.” “I trust we will
never have a hearing”, the judge
said, adding that he hoped he
would not be forced to issue
an injunction against the union.

Judge Gaffney on May 6 issued
a show cause order against
Local 45 of the United Rubber
Workers in connection with
picketing at the Footwear Divi-
sion, but a hearing has never
been held. There have been two
continuances and more are ex-
pected as long as the picketing
remains peaceful.

The judge said he hoped the
issuance of a show cause order
will have the same effect at the
Chemical plant.

The United Rubber Workers
have been on strike for five-
weeks. Negotiations on the mas-
ter contract, being held in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, recessed Friday
until Wednesday.

Strikers Give URW Union Vote Of Confidence Monday

by
Strikers Give URW Union Vote Of Confidence Monday

Strikers Give URW Union Vote Of Confidence Monday

By Cynthia Baran

UniRoyal workers, members of the United Rubber Workers Union Local 45, received word Monday from both the union and the company that indicates that both parties are miles away from a strike settlement.

From the factory manager of the local footwear plant, John M. Smith, the employees received a letter stating, “The strike need not have occurred. Prior to the expiration of the contract, the company proposed one of the largest offers ever made to our employees. It also proposed that our factories keep operating on a day-to-day basis under the contract while a new one was finalized.”

“Our company has bargained and continues to bargain in good faith. Its negotiating representatives are making every effort to establish a basis for settlement. The union has made only minor changes in its original demands which were beyond reasonable or justifiable limits for our highly competitive industry.”

Monday afternoon, President of URW Local 45, George Froehlich, conducted a meeting for union members to inform them of negotiation proceedings in Cincinnati. That was the first time the membership had been called together since the strike began.

Froehlich reported the negotiations as the “wierdest” he has ever been in since 1942.” He claimed that company officials were being “arrogant and reluctant” to settle the strike.

In rebuttal to Smith’s letter, he said that the company had not proposed working on a day-to-day basis until 15 minutes before the contract deadline. At this time, according to Froehlich, nothing had been offered or settled by or with the company.

He added that while union officials had been willing to negotiate on weekends, Sundays, and even the Memorial Day holiday, the company officials were not.

Froehlich told the union members, that union officials were not bargaining for a “few pieces of silver.” The main issues, according to the president, concern “decent treatment of employees.”

The union members were informed that during the strike they are still covered by health

Please Turn to Page 14

GEORGE FROEHLICH, president of Local 45, United Rubber Workers, addressed union members in the Naugatuck High School auditorium Monday afternoon. Those in attendance gave the negotiating committee a vote of confidence in negotiating sessions in Ohio. –(News Photo by Baker)

Negotiators Not

by

Negotiators Not c-2c

Continued From Page 1

in early April, however, that it wouldn’t prohibit any of the member companies from reaching an independent agreement with the union satisfactory to itself.

The effect of the pact, Bommarito charged, has been interference with employes’ rights to engage in concerted activities guaranteed by law because their “exertion of economic pressure is diminished or destroyed.” The result has been, he held, that Firestone has refused and is refusing to bargain collectively, in violation of the law.

He reiterated earlier charges that the five rubber companies for 20 years have negotiated wage increases and other benefits that parallel or are in tandem with those in the auto industry but that “now they have refused” to follow this policy.

All have made identically inadequate wage offers, he said, and are prevented from meeting their collective bargaining obligations by the strike assistance pact

by

“All have made identically in-
adequate wage offers,” he said,
“and are prevented from meet-
ing their collective bargain-
ing obligations by the strike as-
sistance pact.”

A Firestone spokesman said
the company wouldn’t have any
official comment on the NLRB
complaint by the union.

“We can see no legal basis
for their claims,” he said.
Spokesmen for the four other
rubber companies also declined
comment on the complaint.

The issuance of this com-
plaint and the meeting held
Monday by Local 45 is the first
real information and indication
the striking rubber workers
have received on how the nego-
tiating sessions are progress-
ing.

The strike, now entering its
42nd day, has been a long, drag-
ged out affair filled with rumors
but without any definite releases
as to the proceedings in Ohio.

Both the companies and union
had agreed that neither party
would give out information as
to the negotiations without the
others consent.

Striking Local 45 members
gave their President George
Froehlich a vote of confidence
at the meeting held Monday;
however, Froehlich gave the
members no encouragement as
far as a fast settlement was
concerned.

Picketing at all three local
plants remain quiet as UniRoyal
supervisory personnel carry on
limited production at the
Chemical and Synthetic plants
and shipping is carried out at
the Footwear warehouse.

Mayor Joseph C. Raytkwich
received a complaint from a
Cotton Hollow resident this
morning that a heavy smog
covered the area. The com-
plainant also said that the
air was irritating to the nose
and eyes.

However, the source of the
“smog” was not identified, and
this seems to be the only area
of the borough so effected.

Striking Rubber Workers, Five Companies May Agree on a Single Package Contract

by
Striking Rubber Workers, Five Companies May Agree on a Single Package Contract

Striking Rubber Workers, Five Companies May Agree on a Single Package Contract

By a WALL STREET JOURNAL Staff Reporter

CLEVELAND—Contract negotiations between the United Rubber Workers Union and five major rubber companies may take a long step toward a settlement this week as sentiment appeared to grow for linking pension and welfare improvements into a single package with wages and other benefits.

This would be a departure from previous industry policy of keeping the usual two-year master wage contracts separate from the longer term pension and welfare agreements.

Strikes by the union have closed 39 plants of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Uniroyal Inc. and B. F. Goodrich Co. for 45 days. Contracts at those concerns expired April 20, as did those at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., whose plants have continued to operate on a day-to-day basis. Plants of General Tire & Rubber Co. also continued to operate since its contract expiration May 15.

Existing three-year pension and welfare agreements with Goodyear, Firestone, Uniroyal and Goodrich also are due to expire on Sept. 15, however, and the time proximity of the two rounds of negotiations has created a hurdle in reaching a wage contract agreement. Company executives, even before wage contract talks started, cited the prospect of facing two boosts in employment costs, plus two strike threats, in a single year.

More recently, with strike benefit funds about depleted by the lengthy work stoppages of some 51,000 employes of the three struck concerns, union officials were said to be becoming less adamant about keeping pension and welfare agreements separate from wage contracts.

While Peter Bommarito, URW international president, said a month ago the union was willing to consider a joint package proposal from the companies it is understood nothing more than exploratory discussions have taken place thus far in negotiations on this score.

At the weekend, however, a URW spkesman said the union would be “wide open to any proposals” from managements for wrapping up the two contracts in a single package. Company spokesmen also reiterated the contention that such a move common in most other industries, is “the most logical and sensible thing to do.”

Whether the resumption of talks, recessed since Thursday, between the union and Firestone, Goodyear, Goodrich and Uniroyal this morning will result in any moves toward a single, overall contract remains to be seen. But the belief of sources close to the negotiations indicated prospects are better than ever before.

One possibly sticky point is whether a single, overall agreement would be for two years or for three. Earlier pension and welfare agreements have been for as much as five years. But both union and company sources noted this could be an issue for negotiation.

Mr. Bommarito earlier disclosed he has called a meeting for June 25 and 27, in Cleveland, of union pension and welfare contract officials. A union spokesman said the meeting still is scheduled, but he indicated this would not necessarily rule out a possibility of negotiating a combined contract before then.

The union’s strike benefit fund, amounting to about $6.5 million at the start of the three-company strike, presumably is exhausted as a result of the prescribed $25 weekly payments to striking members. The union has called on working members for voluntary contributions

equivalent to one hour’s pay a week, but the extent of the response has not been disclosed.

Walter Reuther, president of the United Auto Workers union, has pledged striking rubber workers financial and other assistance in their dispute. But both UAW and URW officials decline to say whether any financial aid has been asked for or given.

Whatever the prospects for gaining an early single contract settlement, the union indicated at the weekend it intends to press its unfair labor practice charge against the five companies for their mutual strike aid pact reached last April 1.

In a complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board regional office in Cleveland last week against Firestone, the union charged the pact thwarted free collective bargaining and is prolonging the strike against the three companies.

The union spokesman said identical complaints are in the mail to the NLRB against Uniroyal and Goodrich and will be followed today with complaints against Goodyear and General Tire.

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Talks To Be Recessed

by
Talks To Be Recessed

Talks To Be Recessed

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

Contention most likely would develop, it is understood, over the companies’ continued plan for pay-boost differentials between tire workers and other employes, the length of the contract and the guaranteed annual wage provisions. A pay-boost differential has been contained in each of the last three wage contracts, though the margins were narrowed in the 1965 agreement. Mr. Bommarito has labeled the differentials as discriminatory, however.

But the proposal has activated the negotiations, which had become somewhat passive. Moreover, the size of the proposed pay boosts indicate substantially higher employment costs, pointing to increased prices. Executives of the companies had said the negotiations were likely to increase costs so much that price boosts would be necessary.

URW Prepared To Continue Strike Another Month

by

URW Prepared To Continue Strike Another Month

AKRON, OHIO (UPI) — United Rubber Workers President Peter Bommarito, said today that the United Rubber Workers had rejected an offer by the nation’s five leading rubber producers and that the URW was prepared to continue the strike for another month.

The URW had been offered a 38 cent per hour wage increase, an increase in pension, unemployment and welfare benefits.

Bommarito did not indicate what it would take for a settlement.

Strikers in the borough, out of work for 49-days, had their hopes of a settlement dashed with the announcement of the rejection today. The rejection coupled with the announcement of a cut in union weekly benefits from $25 to $15 was a bitter pill to swallow.

According to a letter received by UniRoyal employes today, the union rejected the proposal late Tuesday afternoon.

The UniRoyal letter received in today’s mail by employes, listing the companies offer in full is as follows:

June 8, 1967

Dear Fellow Employee:

The Company and Union negotiating committees have been meeting in Cincinnati since March 21 in an effort to negotiate a contract and wage agreement. The Union presented demands to the Company which would cost at least $1.40 per hour, as well as seriously impair its ability to operate its plants on a competitive basis. The Union presented a portion of these demands on April 12, but did not present its full proposal until 11 a.m. on April 19-just 37 hours before the strike deadline.

Prior to the strike deadline, the Company offered the Union a proposal on wages and benefits which was worth approximately 26 cents an hour. This was greater than the total settlement in 1965. The Company also offered to continue negotiations on a day-to-day basis in order to reach an agreement. The Union rejected this proposal. Two of the unions in the major rubber companies did agree to continue negotiations on this basis and their employees are still working. Your Union made no change in its position prior to the strike deadline.

Meanwhile, the Union criticized the Company’s proposal by stating that it amounted to only about a 2 1/2% increase, whereas other industries have made settlements amounting to about 5%. The Company pointed out to the Union that the 5% settlements to which they referred covered not only wage and contract matters but also pension and insurance benefits and that they afforded these industries a high degree of stability since they were generally for a three year period.

The Company told the union repeatedly that it could not increase its offer because it was faced with a large cost exposure when the pension and insurance agreement is opened for negotiation later this summer. Because this unknown factor acted as an obstacle to successfully concluding negotiations, an effort was made by the Company to open the pension and insurance negotiations now and attempts to negotiate all matters to a conclusion. This, of course, would provide improvements in pensions and insurance several months earlier in the year. This offer was made with full recognition that neither the Company nor the Union could insist that the other party negotiate on pensions and insurance at this time as a condition to settlement, but it was felt that this was a fair and reasonable method of resolving the problem.

In order that you may properly evaluate the situation, we felt you should know what the Company has offered. Following are the principal points in the proposal made to the Union on June 5, 1967:

  1. Wages – In tire plants, an increase of 16¢ per hour in 1967, 11¢ per hour in 1968 and 11¢ per hour in 1969. In non-tire plants, an increase of 13¢ per hour in 1967, 9¢ per hour in 1968 and 9¢ per hour in 1969. This would provide wage increases of 38¢ and 31¢ an hour respectively in a span of 24 months. The reason for the difference between tire and non-tire increases is that our competitors in the non-tire segment of our business do not pay the same high wages and benefits and do not provide the same increases as UniRoyal does. This has resulted in a severe economic squeeze in our non-tire plants.
  2. Skilled Trades – A 10¢ an hour increase in addition to the above increases, in the year 1967.
  3. Liberalized Vacation Pay – Two weeks vacation pay for employees with one year of seniority and 3 weeks of vacation pay for employees with 5 years of seniority (the present provisions of 4 weeks vacation pay after 15 years seniority and 5 weeks vacation pay after 25 years seniority would continue).

Please Turn to Page 12

US Rubber Annual Report – 72nd Annual Report – Page 14

by
Page 014

Financial Review

1963 Sales and Profits Affected by Strikes
Although sales of most products in 1963 were equal to or better than 1962, strikes in four of our five tire plants seriously affected our sales of this major product.
A company-wide labor agreement with plants represented by the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and Plastic Workers of America was signed in June by the Company and officers of the Union. However, strikes were called in July by local unions at four of our five tire plants, over terms of local supplemental contracts.
One tire plant was reopened in mid-October, another in mid-November and a third was reopened in mid-December, with the fourth plant continuing on strike through the year end.
In addition, there was a 27 day strike at two of our chemical plants, a 10 day strike at a third chemical plant, and day strikes at one of our plastic plants and a 39 day strike at one of our Canadian footwear plants, the largest rubber footwear plant in Canada. The stoppage of production at these plants caused merchandise shortages which affected our ability to fill customers’ orders. As this report was written, all strikes had been settled.
Obviously, the cost of these strikes, both in loss of sales and higher expenses due to abnormal absorption of maintenance and other overhead expenses during the periods the plants were shut down, adversely affected our results from operations.

Sales Lower by 2.6% vs 1962
Notwithstanding the shortages of inventories caused by the strikes, our sales to customers in 1963 aggregated $980,230,000 – the second highest year in our history, being exceeded only by our peak year of 1962 when sales totaled $1,006,793,000.
Higher sales in domestic markets of footwear, foam rubber products, textiles and chemicals, and in practically all areas outside the U. S. A. helped to offset some of the decrease in domestic tire sales.

Other Income
“Other Income, Net” comprises $5,071,000 of dividends from affiliated companies, interest earned on loans to customers, securities and temporary investment of excess working cash, royalties from licensees, and other miscellaneous income items, less $1,967,000 of interest paid on short term bank loans, mostly in connection with foreign operations.
Undistributed earnings of affiliated companies (in which we own 50 per cent or less of the outstanding shares) are not included in our income. Equity in 1963 retained earnings was $362,000, equivalent to an additional six cents on our common shares.

Taxes
During 1963, we provided $24,274,000 for Federal and foreign income taxes. In addition, excise, social security, property and other taxes levied against the Company by Federal, State and local governments amounted to $83,207,000. These direct taxes aggregated $107,481,000, compared with $117,365,000 for the year 1962. In addition, in 1963, the company withheld $42,253,000 from employees’ wages and salaries for personal income and social security taxes.
The total of all taxes paid and collected was $149,734,000.

Foreign Exchange Losses
Foreign exchange losses charged against 1963 income amounted to $1,172,000, chiefly from currency devaluation in the Congo. Comparable losses in 1962 were $2,292,000, principally in Canada, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil.

Union Threatens Goodyear Strike

by
Union Threatens Goodyear Strike

SEYMOUR 7-12-62

Union Threatens Goodyear Strike

The United Rubber Workers union said yesterday that Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. might become the fifth of the rubber industry’s big five producers to be struck if progress was not made in negotiations by midnight tomorrow.

If Goodyear is struck, 21,000 more rubber workers will be out of jobs, making a total of 76,000 union members idled.

The Firestone Tire and Rubbber Co., Uniroyal, Inc., and Goodrich Tire and Rubber Co. were struck June 21. Goodyear has been operating on a day-to – day basis.

The union charged that Goodyear has failed to bargain in good faith.

Uniroyal has plants in Beacon Falls and Naugatuck.

Rubber Workers Strike Goodyear

by

Rubber Workers Strike Goodyear

7-14-67 [handwritten]

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — More than 20,000 United Rubber Workers at 11 Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. plants in 10 states joined today in the union’s longest and largest walkout against the rubber industry’s major producers.

Pickets appeared at plant gates at the Thursday midnight deadline—less than two hours after contract negotiations at Cincinnati had recessed with union representatives rejecting

Goodyear’s third offer in bargaining that has been going on nearly four months.

Goodyear had continued work on a day-to-day basis after the union struck Firestone, B.F. Goodrich and Uniroyal April 21, idling 51,000 employes. On June 2, General Tire & Rubber, smallest member of the industry’s big five was struck, adding 3,050 more workers to the walkout.

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 10

Strike— 7-14-67 [handwritten]

Continued from Page 1

The first break in the tie-up came Thursday when negotiators agreed to a contract covering 3,300 General Tire and Rubber Co. employes in Arkon, Ohio and Waco, Tex.

Negotiations are continuing in Cincinnati in attempts to reach agreement with other major rubber industries. About 5,000 Uniroyal employes in Naugatuck and Beacon Falls have been idled by the strike.

Goodyear employs 8,300 at its plants here and has another Ohio plant at St. Marys. Remaining plants are in Gadsden, Ala.; Los Angeles; Jackson, Mich.; Muncie, Ind.; North Chicago, Ill.; Topeka, Kan.; Lincoln, Neb.; Windsor, Vt., and New Bedford, Mass.

Meeting Called By Mediators

by

Meeting Called By Mediators

6-21-67 [handwritten]

NAUGATUCK—Small negotiating teams from each of the five major rubber companies and the United Rubber Workers Union have been called for a special group meeting Thursday by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

The federal government has evidently decided that a 62-day-old strike involving over 51,000 people constitutes a problem requiring high-level action.

The meeting, scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. in Pittsburgh, Pa., will include teams of three management negotiators and three union negotiators from each of the five companies.

Although the full compliment of Uniroyal teams could not be learned Tuesday night, it was known that chief Uniroyal management negotiator will be Eugene Worchester and the chief Uniroyal union negotiator will be Herbert Dawson.

A URW local negotiator, contacted Tuesday, said that the union groups will choose the two

(Cont’d On Page 2—Uniroyal)

Uniroval

by

Uniroyal– 6-21-67

(Continued from Page One)

men to accompany Dawson today.

The announcement of this meeting represents one of the more significant aspects of the talks, although observers were hesitant to say whether it meant a possible breakthrough in the negotiations.

The meeting could go on for weeks, said a union observer, adding that union officials are tightening their jaws and preparing to hold out on their demands.

The feeling among union people, according to union spokesmen, is that government-included settlements generaly go in favor of management.

This represents the second attempt to get all five companies and the union to sit down at one table and talk.

A previous attempt failed when union negotiators from B. F. Goodrich refused to join because they did not want to talk in terms of a three-year contract agreement.

Union spokesmen from General Tire and Rubber Co. said that the gathering in Pittsburgh would not affect their scheduled walkout in two plants at midnight tonight.

Picketing by over 3,000 members of the URW at plants in Waco, Tex. and Akron, Ohio, will begin as scheduled, bringing the total number of URW members on strike to 54,100.

Goodyear, the only company not on strike, is continuing work on a day-to-day basis.

Uniroyal

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Uniroyal 6-28-61

(Continued from Page One)

Uniroyal counsel J. Kenneth Bradley questioned Mengacci at some length about flare-ups at the gates early in May when pickets attempted to keep office personnel from entering the plant.

71 Arrests

The three days of clashes between pickets and police resulted in arrests of 71 strikers and a warning from Judge Gaffney that he would issue an injunction against the union if the violence didn’t stop.

The judge Tuesday gave some hint as to how he will accept such a defense, when he interrupted Bradley during questioning about a meeting between union officials and John Smith, plant manager.

Mengacci quoted Smith as saying at that meeting that in his opinion, no agreement existed because of the picket line troubles.

Judge Gaffney declared, “I’m not concerned with what some Mr. Smith thought about whether the agreement was null and void—it does not substitute for my judgment.”

At another point, while Bradley cross-examined Mengacci about alleged offers by the company to have union members perform certain jobs at the plant, the judge chided the lawyer to “come to the issue here, whether or not there’s been a violation of this contract.”

Mengacci also claimed that the company had announced at a May 8 meeting that “it needed to get samples out and they (company officials) intended to start production on samples with supervisory help.”

The union official said that after union protests, Smith told Local 45 leaders at a meeting a week later that the company “would honor the agreement” not to go into production and plans to start work on the samples would be dropped.

Mengacci said the company announced at that time that it wanted to produce 400 to 500 pairs of shoes a day.

Joseph DeCarlo, a member of the union negotiating committee, and Walter Beckwith, a picket captain, also voiced the opinion that violence would break out in the picket lines if production is allowed to begin.

Uniroyal cites Continued from Page 1

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UniRoyal Cites

Continued From Page 1

plant during the evening hours
set off the mass picketing and
violence in the borough.

The union attorney then asked Smith how many shoes were
normally produced in the plant
a day, to which Smith answered
120,000. Baker then asked if,
after the strike is settled,
couldn’t the company in two
days, by using all its facilities, produce the necessary
number of sample shoes, which
was said to be 45,000 pairs.
Smith said, “Emphatically No”,
adding this would not be practical.

Ronald Hadley, model sales
manager, was called to the stand
to testify to the need for the
sample shoes.

Judge Gaffney stated that he
recognizes the fact that if the
strike is prolonged everybody
will be hurt. The union members and families are already
hurt.

The Judge said that he wants
to stop violence and is not interested in who is going to suffer
the most, union or company.

Nelligan was again called to
the stand to be questioned by
the union attorney as to the oral
agreement that no one enter
the plant after 6 p.m.

Nelligan said that he didn’t
expect anyone would enter the
plant after the normal working
hours. Under questioning he
said that approximately 30 or
40 persons had been brought into the plant the evening before
the first violence when the union
said it would not permit shipment.

Nelligan said, however, no
work was started before 8 a.m.
the following day. He said that
he believed that there was
around-the-clock picketing in
the earlier days of the strike
before he had had an informal
conversation with Mengacci.
Then picketing was only conducted between the hours of 6
a.m. and 6 p.m.

Mengacci was returned to the
stand on the request of the union
attorney to testify on whether
Smith stated at the May 15th
meeting that he would “honor the
agreement.” Mengacci said that
Smith had not made such a statement.

Judge Gaffney asked again
yesterday if a written notice had
been given the union that
the company did not consider
the agreement no longer in effect. He was told, no, that it was
merely an oral announcement.

Approximately a dozen Local
45 members were in court as
spectators to the afternoon session yesterday. They thought
possibly a ruling on the injunction would be announced at the
close of the hearing and were
disappointed that it will be
another week before the decision is reached.

Judge Gaffney reminded the
company and assured the union
that no production would be allowed at the footwear plant until
an announcement of the decision
on the restraining injunction
was made.

He said that he was anxious
to receive the briefs as soon
as possible in order to expedite the matter. The decision
is expected sometime near the
end of next week.

However, Judge Gaffney said
that he would not be hurt to find
the strike was settled first

Handwritten notation in top right corner: 6-29-68

Reuther Calls Rubber Offer “Miserly”

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Reuther Calls Rubber Offer "Miserly"

Reuther Calls Rubber Offer “Miserly”

7-1

AKRON, Ohio (UPI)—The head of the United Auto Workers Union said Friday a wage offer to striking United Rubber Workers (URW) by major tire producers was “miserly.”

Walter Reuther, who has taken up the cause of the striking rubber workers by pumping more than $1 million into the URW’s strike fund, said a wage increase offer of 43 cents per hour by the “big five” tire producers was “miserable, inadequate and unacceptable.”

The 43-cent wage offer, which would boost the hourly pay of rubber workers to $4.11, was made by General Tire & Rubber Co., which was struck last week.

The 10-week-old walkout, longest in industry history, has idled 54,000 workers across the nation.

General also offered an 80 per cent supplemental unemployment payment plan.

Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., B. F. Goodrich, UniRoyal Inc., and Goodyear have offered to raise hourly pay by 40 cents, plus 75 per cent supplemental payments.

Goodyear, where work is continuing on a day-to-day basis, was the only one of the “big five” still operating. Firestone, Goodrich and UniRoyal were struck April 20.

No progress was reported in negotiations Friday.

Talks between bargainers for Goodyear and UniRoyal and the union were recessed until Wednesday while Goodrich and Firestone were to meet with union representatives again today.

Besides the wage issue, talks have deadlocked over union demands that the wage differential between tire and non-tire workers be eliminated.

Average pay for non-tire workers under the old contract was $2.69 per hour, 99-cents less than tire workers earned.

While talks continued, the 54,000 strikers were faced with an increasing financial burden.

The URW’s depleted strike fund can now pay only $15 per week to many of the union members in strike benefits. Union officials said the auto worker’s loan would only enable the union to continue benefit payments at that level, not increase them.

County welfare officials report many of the striking rubber workers have joined the welfare rolls, with more being added every day.

Few of the strikers have been able to find temporary jobs in an area dominated by the rubber industry.

Rumors yesterday in downtown Naugatuck to the effect that the strike had ended once again raised the hopes of many families feeling the pinch of the 71-day old United Rubber Workers strike against UniRoyal.

The fact that the company had asked permission of Local 45 to allow oilers to work in the plant, added to the knowledge that George Froehlich, president of Local 45 and Joseph Rzeszutek, president of Local 218, were returning to the borough for the long holiday weekend, was like adding fuel to the fire.

A second story circulating the borough yesterday sent many strikers to the Unemployment

Please Turn to Page 10

Reuther Calls Rubber
Continued From Page 1

7-1

Office in Waterbury seeking compensation.

Gov. John Dempsey signed into law yesterday a more liberal compensation act; however, the portion of that bill covering strikers receiving compensation was stricken from the bill before it was passed in the General Assembly.

Local 45 had not come to a decision yesterday as to whether it would permit oilers to work in the plant but, according to Vice President Raymond Mengacci, it would be discussed further today. He was unavailable for comment this morning.

GOODRICH

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GOODRICH 7-16-67

(Continued from Page 1)
hikes proposed for the workers
probably will mean a substan-
tial price increase in Goodrich
products.

URW President Peter Bom-
marito said the Goodrich pact
“gives the blue collar worker a
status which we set out to
achieve.” He called parts of the
proposed contract “historic.”

The tentative agreement calls
for a 33-month contract running
until April 20, 1970. It would
give all the 12,000 Goodrich
workers at least a 43-cent hour-
ly increase with skilled em-
ployes getting a 53-cent in-
crease.

The current top scale at Good-
rich is $3.88.

Keener said, “This increase is
well in excess of anticipated
productivity gains per worker.
It is certain that B.F. Goodrich
cannot absorb these increased
costs without substantial and
effective price increases over a
broad range of our product
line.”

Bommarito said the Goodrich
agreement was another step
toward ending the longest strike
in the industry’s history, involv-
ing the nation’s top five produc-
ers. General Tire & Rubber Co.
reached a tentative agreement
earlier this week.

Negotiations are continuing
with Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Co., Firestone Tire & Rubber
Co. and Uniroyal, but were re-
cessed for the weekend.

Nearly 75,000 workers have
been involved in the strike
against the “big five.” The un-
ion struck Goodrich, Uniroyal
and Firestone on April 21.

General Tire was struck by its
3,050 employes June 22, and 21,-
000 workers of Goodyear, the
nation’s top rubber producer,
walked out at midnight Thurs-
day.

Spokesmen said there has not
been a shortage of tires and
rubber products during the
strike as the companies had
large stockpiles before it start-
ed.