workers

Uniroyal, 3 Locals Discuss Supplemental Pact Issues

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Uniroyal, 3 Locals Discuss Supplemental Pact Issues

36

9-17-67

Uniroyal, 3 Locals Discuss Supplemental Pact Issues

NAUGATUCK — Discussions among management of the three Naugatuck Divisions of Uniroyal and representatives of the three locals of the United Rubber Workers Union concerning the supplemental to the master contract are expected to pick up tempo during the coming week.

Preliminary meetings were held this past week especially between Local 45 and Footwear Management but there was no comment as to any progress on the issues involved.

The supplemental contract has an important bearing on each of the individual plants in Naugatuck. This is in sharp contrast to the master contract which was negotiated at a company -wide level throughout the 97-day strike that ended July 27.

The supplemental applies directly to the working conditions at the respective plants of the Footwear, Naugatuck Chemical and Synthetic Divisions.

It could be possible for one local to reach an early agreement with its management over the supplemental contract while the other locals could be tied up in a lengthy discussion because of failure to settle in -plant problems.

Conceivably, a break -off of negotiations on the supplemental contract could result in a walkout at any of the plants. However, it would not involve either of the remaining locals in the controversy.

There are reports of some dissension over the supplemental contract but there has been no comment from officials of all three locals, 45, 218 and 308 to either support or refute such talk.

Uniroyal Talks Resume Tuesday, Other Industry Moves Watched

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Uniroyal Talks Resume Tuesday, Other Industry Moves Watched

Uniroyal Talks Resume Tuesday, Other Industry Moves Watched

Sunday May 14, 1967

By PATRICK KEATING

NAUGATUCK — A “wait-and-see” atmosphere hangs over the community as the strike that has crippled production at the Footwear, Chemical and Synthetic Divisions of Uniroyal is in its 24th day.

The 5,000 members of the United Rubber Workers, AFL-CIO, have been idle here since April 21. Their return to work depends on the outcome of contract talks at Cincinnati between the URW policy committee an Uniroyal Management .

However negotiations were recessed Friday for a long weekend. It will not be until Tuesday morning before the union and management representatives return to the conference table.

Meanwhile, union leaders, including George Froelich, president of Local 45, Footwear Division have taken advantage of the recess to return to the borough for meetings with their memberships. Several sessions have been scheduled for today and Monday.

Local information on the progress of a new contract is dependent solely on reports and these have been good and bad during the past week.

Union officials are showing concern “for what the other people are doing in their negotiations with URW.” They refer to talks between the international and Firestone, Goodrich and Goodyear.

It is their feeling that if one of the other companies settles, any agreement reached will set a pattern for the entire industry. And it could mean a quick end to the strike against Uniroyal.

The spotlight will also be turned Monday towards the General Tire Co., which has a midnight deadline for reaching a contract agreement with URW. Again, if a satisfactory contract is negotiated at General, it could mean considerable to the rest of the industry.

The past week in the community has been very quiet, a sharp contrast to the previous week when demonstrations resulted in the arrest of 71 URW members.

Tuesday, Uniroyal was granted a temporary restraining order against the union for two weeks. Under the court order, the union must conduct its picket lines in an orderly fashion; allow management personnel to enter the plant and refrain from interferring with the shipment of products from the Footwear warehouses.

The union has complied with the court edict and there have no incidents. It has the privilege of requesting truck drivers not to enter the factory gates and in a number of instances, union drivers have refused to cross the lines.

A reliable source reports that beginning Monday, Footwear management plans to resume some production that has been curtailed since April 21. In line with this report, supervisory and other management personnel have been requested to work a 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. shift.

The report further indicates that these white-collared groups will be shifted to conveyor making lines at the tennis division. Jack Smith, factory manager, was not available for comment on this or a report that striking workers may be asked to return to their jobs.

Union officials declined to comment also, saying that they would have to see what happens first before issuing any statements.

This past week, members of the union received a weekly strike benefit check of $25. These payments will again be issued on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

The workers are now entering their fourth week of “no pay” from the company. Locally, the borough welfare department is surveying the situation and reviewing requests for financial assistance from residents on strike.

Pact Talks Resume In Uniroyal Strike

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Pact Talks Resume In Uniroyal Strike

MONDAY MAY 15, 1967

Pact Talks Resume In Uniroyal Strike

NAUGATUCK— Negotiations between the United Rubber Workers and Uniroyal, Inc. resume Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the strike against the three local plants moves into its 25th day.

The current strike is the longest since the 22-day old walkout in 1959.

Union and management negotiators returned to their homes over the week end after talks were recessed Friday.

Quiet is the report from the local scene where picket line turmoil of early May days has given way to court directed noninterference with the movements both pedestrian and vehicular of supervisory and nonunion personnel.

Shipment of goods resumed last week, without apparent incident other than the refusal of some truck drivers to cross the picket lines to enter the strikebound plants.

Quiet prevailed this morning, too, as supervisors and office employes go back on the job, some arriving possibly an hour earlier than the customary 8 a.m.

At least one supervisor reported being notified to start work at 7 a.m. today, but the reason for the earlier start could not be determained Sunday night or this morning.

The company and union are negotiating the master contract which concerns all 19 plants of Uniroyal throughout the country. About 7,000 workers in the borough are affected by the strike.

Still Quiet In 25-Day-Old Strike

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Still Quiet In 25-Day-Old Strike

Monday May 15, 1967

Still Quiet In 25-Day-Old Strike

George Froehlich, president of Local 45, United Rubber Workers Union, stood at the Maple St. gate of the Footwear Plant, along with picketers this morning, as supervisory personnel of UniRoyal reported for work.

Production in the plant by management was reportedly scheduled to begin today. However, no incidents occurred on the picket lines this morning as some employes arrived an hour earlier for work.

John Smith, manager of the Footwear Plant, was unavailable this morning for comment.

Shipment of goods from the warehouse continued all last week without incident. A few truck drivers, members of the Teamster Union, refused to cross the picket line, but some trucks were brought in by trucking company management.

Negotiations on the master contract in Cincinnati were recessed for the weekend with sessions scheduled to resume at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. Froehlich returned to the borough over the weekend as well as other local members of the union negotiating team and management negotiators.

The strike, now 25 days old, continues with no word on the progress, if any, being made in negotiations. The issues have not been defined by either side, holding to a pact made by both sides that no statement would be made until settlement has been reached.

The Union was given a strike vote by the membership before it entered into negotiations in Cincinnati and no meeting of the locals has been called to inform the membership of progress.

The three locals in the borough will distribute the $25 benefit checks to its eligible membership for the second week, starting tomorrow.

Rumors of immediate settlement and ones of a long, drawn-out strike, both are rampant in the borough. Most merchants are beginning to feel the pinch of the strike. A few merchants have reported excellent sales as the strikers have been doing household repairs in their idle time.

Many strikers have resorted to part-time jobs to implement their dwindling funds while others, in desperation, have applied for welfare.

Meeting Here Lessens UniRoyal Strike Tensions

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Meeting Here Lessens UniRoyal Strike Tensions

Meeting Here Lessens UniRoyal Strike Tensions

Tuesday MAY 16, 1967 [handwritten]

A three-hour meeting yesterday morning between management and union of UniRoyal led to the lessening of mounting tension. Management assured the union no attempt at footwear production would be made by supervisory personnel.

Following the meeting, the union decided to reduce the hours of picketing back to the original schedule of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the footwear plants. The around-the-clock schedule of picketing at the Chemical and Synthetic plants will continue.

The meeting was called yesterday when management personnel began reporting at the plant an hour earlier than their normal schedule. Men were observed attired in casual clothes, indicating the rumor that production would begin held some vestige of truth.

Management also assured the Union officials that no efforts to move trucks in or out after 6 p.m. will be made.

Contract negotiations resumed this morning in Cincinnati following a weekend recess. The strike of United Rubber Workers is now in its 26th day.

Union And Uniroyal Reach Joint Accord

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Union And Uniroyal Reach Joint Accord

Union And Uniroyal Reach Joint Accord

Tuesday MAY 16, 1967 [handwritten]

NAUGATUCK— Pickets at the strikebound Uniroyal Footwear Plant have gone back to their original hours of picketing from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., following an agreement with management that no effort will be made to move trucks in or out of the plant after 6 p.m., Local 45 union officials said Monday night.

The arrangement does not affect schedules at the chemical and synthetic plants where picketing continues around the clock.

Decision to reduce the picketing schedule at the footwear plant came after a three-hour meeting between the union and company officials Monday morning at which management also assured the union no attempts at footwear production would be made by supervisory personnel.

Local 45 spokesmen said rumors that such an effort would be made starting Monday had become so prevalent the meeting with management was deemed necessary to pin down the matter one way or the other.

Around-the-clock picketing began May 3 when reports reached the union that management intended to resume shipping. Two days of scuffling followed before the strike reached an even keel again.

Contract negotiations aimed at ending the strike are scheduled to resume at 10 a.m. today in Cincinnati, Ohio.

AKRON, Ohio (AP) ))— Negotiators for the United Rubber Workers and the General Tire & Rubber Co. recessed bargaining after the URW contract with the nation’s fifth largest rubber producer expired at midnight.

Another meeting was scheduled today as work continues, a union spokesman said.

Representatives of the company, with headquarters here, met with union negotiators at Cleveland.

General has 3,052 workers in the URW, which has been on strike against three of the country’s big four rubber companies for 26 days.

That strike idled more than 50,000 April 20 at plants of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., B. F. Goodrich Co. and Uniroyal.

Employes of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. have continued to work on a day-to-day basis after the April 20 deadline.

Negotiations have continued with Goodyear and Uniroyal in Cincinnati, Goodrich at Columbus and Firestone in Cleveland.

Neither side has commented on the negotiations.

Firestone has laid off some workers at its tire cord plants in Gastonia, N.C., and Bennettsville, S.C., because of the strike. The textile division plants are not covered by the URW contracts.

Uniroyal Strike Affects Beacon Falls Area Economy

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Uniroyal Strike Affects Beacon Falls Area Economy

Uniroyal Strike Affects

Beacon Falls Area Economy

Tuesday MAY 16, 1967 [handwritten]

By R. E. FITZPATRICK

The Uniroyal strike is having its effect on the economic life of the Naugatuck-Beacon Falls area.

With some 5,000 men and women on strike since April 21, considerably less money is flowing into the area.

Bank deposits are down and withdrawals are greater than normal, some area bankers have found. They expect this trend to continue even after a strike settlement is reached, at least briefly.

Independent grocers have noted a somewhat greater volume of credit buying, but they term the amount not excessive.

Case loads of welfare departments in some surrounding communities are up slightly, but less than some welfare officials had expected.

With time on their hands, many of the strikers apparently are working on do-it-yourself projects.

Local lumber and hardware dealers have noted an increase in the sale of home-repair and home-improvement supplies during the first two weeks of the strike.

Otherwise, they say, business is about normal for this time of year.

The violence that marred the strike early this month has faded. Trucks are entering and leaving the Uniroyal plants daily, taking out cargoes of finished goods.

Picketing is much reduced and has been peaceful.

Around – the – clock picketing ended yesterday at the Naugatuck footwear plant of Uniroyal and the original 6 a.m.-6 p.m. hours were restored.

Officials of Local 45, United Rubber Workers of America, said the move came after the company assured them at a meeting Monday morning that there would be no attempt to drive trucks into or out of the plant after 6 p.m.

Picketing continues around the clock at the chemical and synthetic plants of Uniroyal.

Some 800 office and supervisory personnel are going to work daily at the struck Uniroyal plants in Naugatuck and Beacon Falls without incident, according to Thomas J. Nelligan, industrial relations spokesman for Uniroyal.

Meanwhile, in Cincinnati negotiations are continuing in the nationwide strike that has idled about 50,000 United Rubber workers, including those in Naugatuck and Beacon Falls.

Uniroyal Picket Lines Still Quiet

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Uniroyal Picket Lines Still Quiet

Thursday MAY 18, 1967

NAUGATUCK — Although Naugatuck Chemical plant manager John Evans said Wednesday that the company was “contemplating” shipping from the plant, the scene on the United Rubber Workers Local 218 picket lines remained quiet throughout the day. No shipments were reported.

Evans said he had no comment to make following a meeting between management and Local 218 officials Wednesday morning, and cited the agreement with the union that no statements would be issued while negotiations were in progress.

Local 218 President Joseph Rzeszutek, who had flown in from Cincinnati Tuesday night, concurred with Evans that no comment would be made.

Rzeszutek said that picket teams would not be increased but would continue on the normal, around-the-clock schedule.

Negotiations continued in Cincinnati Wednesday, although no word was available concerning the progress of the talks.

Dear Sir:

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Dear Sir: Wed. MAY 17, 1976

As a pensioner of UniRoyal I was certainly disgusted to read the letter to the Editor on May 11, 1967 where a member of Local 45 wrote you concerning strikers on the picket line, the policemen and management personnel.

I was there and had seen what was going on and at no time was there any rough tactics used by members of Local #45-#218-#308. It was an impossibility for anyone to get hurt when all of the pickets had their hands in their pockets. As I saw it, the group of members of Local #45-#218-#308 formed a solid line, then a certain few, of the militant and aggressive from the police department along with management personnel tried to break through by using strong arm tactics, which caused minor injuries.

Also when Captain Joseph Summa read the laws to the members three times and the crowd did not disburse he motioned to his men that were standing in the street to come and arrest the members and that was done in an orderly basis. Also Captain Summa pointed to other members to follow the police to the police station to be booked. There is no question about who pays the salaries of the police. We all know the taxpayer’s do and we also know that we need a good police force to protect all of us.

I want to say that this problem could have been avoided if management had not violated the verbal agreement that was negotiated by them and the negotiating committee prior to leaving for Cincinnati to negotiate the Master Contract. The verbal agreement was and has been in the past to allow management personnel in the plant for training purposes and for whatever other work that concerned management, but not to work on production of any kind. The only union members to be allowed to work in the plant was for the proper maintenance of the plant. I know these are the rules we followed in the past. I have served under four different Presidents as a Steward, Division Chairman, Policy Committee member, Executive board member, Safety Committee, Negotiating Committee and others.

I want to say that since we organized in 1935 we have come a long way and that it was not handed to us on a gold platter. If the members will look back some years and see what the wages and benefits were, they were very nil. In fact no benefits at all.

The member, referring to the one who wrote the May 11 letter, stresses the point of Vickers closing down. That is not a fact, all they did was to move to where they could get cheaper labor. They did not tell you that they “reaped the harvest” for years. Those members had no seniority rights or no job security like you have. As for the newspaper closing down in New York, from what I read in other newspapers it was from poor management. They have to blame someone, so they blame the Union because of high labor cost. They did not even sit down with the Union and tell them of their problems so that they could solve them.

It seems to me “name withheld” that you are anti-union or you are well taken care of by your boss by getting all the over-time you want. You also say you will never make up the loss, this is not a fact for the simple reason you will get a wage increase, benefits, better working conditions and numerous other gains.

Another point I want to stress is that, the cost of living has already gone up for the past 2 years. You also say it is ridiculous to get 93% of your wages in case of lay off this, in the long run would cost the company about $.02 more per hour. This does not compare with the 14 million dollars the company gave management personnel as a bonus.

You say that you were not told why you are on strike, if you read the last issue of the Rubber Workers newspaper (May Edition) instead of burning it, you would know. Also if you attend the regular monthly meeting you will find that all of these demands are made by the membership and not only the officers. I also want to say that when the policy committee of 19 Local Unions are meeting with management of 19 plants, there are probably 19 hundred problems.

I could go on and on about this but I will close on this subject Mr. or Mrs. Anti-Union saying that I am very proud to have been able to serve as a representative of our great union Local #45 under the Leadership of Mr. George Froehlich, Mr. Raymond Mengacci, Mrs. Rita Ruggerio and all of the officers, policy committee members and also the United Rubber Workers of America. (C.I.O. A.F.L.)

There is also one last remark I want to say is what this policy committee is doing is good for everyone in the area of Naugatuck for the present and future. In 32 years of being an organized union, Mr. or Mrs. Anti-Union, we were never a hooded union or used strong armed tactics and definitely your house would not be burned down.

Mr. Editor please print my name, I am not ashamed I am an honorary member of Local #45 with 36 years of seniority and 39 years of service with UniRoyal Footwear Division.

Pensioner
Mr. Michael San Angelo
77 Chestnut Street

Train Enters Chemical Division Without Incident

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Train Enters Chemical Division Without Incident

Thursday MAY 18, 1967

Train Enters Chemical Division Without Incident

Three pickets stood at the main gate of the Chemical Division of UniRoyal, Inc., yesterday afternoon and watched a train go into the company’s yard without incident.

The engine of the train came into the local railroad station from Waterbury during the noon-hour, stopped at the local station where management and railroad police boarded the engine.

It then proceeded to the Elm St. railroad yard where it spent almost an hour switching cars and lining them up to take into the Chemical Division. When the train was ready to roll, railroad employes left the train to railroad management and railroad police to operate, honoring the United Rubber Workers picket line.

President Joseph Rzeszutek of Local 218, flew in from Cincinnati Tuesday night, when news of the company’s intent to start activity at the Chemical Co. was relayed to him.

He and other Union officials met yesterday morning in the offices of John Evans, manager of the Chemical Co., with Evans and Ronald Pohl, labor relations director. No comment on the meeting was released, by either management or labor.

The Union, laboring under the threat of an injunction, has been extremely cautious that no incidence occur.

This morning, all was quiet on the picket lines at the Chemical Division. Only three pickets were observed at the main gate, one of which was a woman.

Small teams of pickets were on duty at all gates of the borough’s UniRoyal plants this morning where calm is maintained.

A group of pickets at the Elm St. gate of the Footwear Warehouse came close to being run down by a truck attempting to enter the gate at a fast rate of speed. The pickets said that the truck was coming so fast that they were unable to move from its path where they were standing talking.

Local police on the scene slowed the truck down to avoid an accident.

AKRON, Ohio (UPI) — The ‘Rubber Capital of the World’ today continues to function under a lengthy rubber strike.

Mayor John Ballard has expressed concern that an extended strike, and the resulting loss of workers’ income tax, will hamper city finances.

Meanwhile, negotiations between the General Tire and Rubber Co. and the United Rubber Workers Union remained recessed although both company and union officials say they can be resumed at any time.

The company’s 3,300 employes, covered by the union contract which expired at Monday midnight, continued working at the facilities here and at Waco, Tex.

In the rest of the industry, negotiations continued Wednesday with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Cleveland; with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and with UniRoyal in Cincinnati, and with B. F. Goodrich in Columbus.

Only Goodyear is continuing production, on a day to day basis. The other three companies are closed down by strikes. The companies have a mutual aid strike agreement.

A union spokesman said he could make no comment on the

Please Turn to Page 10

UniRoyal Strike 32 Days Old; Settlement Rumors Optimistic

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UniRoyal Strike 32 Days Old; Settlement Rumors Optimistic

NAus. News
Monday MAY 22, 1967

UniRoyal Strike 32 Days Old; Settlement Rumors Optimistic

The strike of United Rubber Workers against UniRoyal has now entered its 32nd day with picketing in the borough calm as white collar workers and trucks pass through the gates of the plant.

The flurry of rumors of impending settlement that caused excitement in town last week has subsided and the strikers have once again adopted a waiting attitude.

Negotiations between management and Union, which have been conducted since March 20, will resume this week in Cincinnati following a weekend recess. No word of the progress has been released.

The financial loss in wages alone in the borough is staggering. Applying mathematics and figuring 5,500 striking employes in local plants and an average daily income of about $25, approximately $137,500 is lost every day of the strike in wages alone, not taking into consideration the loss in income for the plants not producing merchandise.

By extending this figure over the 32-days the strike has been in progress, the total wages lost, using these figures as a base, is $4,400,000.

Using the same base as daily wages and considering that 55,000 persons are out of work due to the strike against the “big five” Rubber Companies more than $40 million has been lost in wages thus far.

The union is paying its membership a benefit of $25 a week. Many of the striking workers have found temporary part-time employment while others are beginning to dig into their savings.

The welfare agencies have received requests from strikers who have nothing to fall back on since the first week of idleness.

Recess In Talks Dulls Hopes For Uniroyal Strike Settlement

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Recess In Talks Dulls Hopes For Uniroyal Strike Settlement

Recess In Talks Dulls Hopes For Uniroyal Strike Settlement

Sunday May 21, 1967 [handwritten]

By PATRICK KEATING
Register Staff Reporter

NAUGATUCK —A weekend recess in contract talks between the international policy committee of the United Rubber Workers, AFL-CIO, and of Uniroyal management carried the strike at the company’s three divisions here into its 31st day today.

Negotiators agreed to the recess Friday and will resume talks Monday at 10 a.m. at Cincinnati.

The recess is a disappointment to the 5,000 idled employes of the Footwear, Chemical and Synthetic Divisions of Uniroyal here, for hopes of a settlement had been feeding on reports,

some reliable and others unsubstantiated, that a breakthrough was imminent.

Officials of Locals, 45, 218 and 308 who are in daily contact with Cincinnati, however, are holding out some encouragement that the strike will be settled shortly. They said their sources report closer contact at the conference table.

Reportedly, Uniroyal management is using the weekend to reassess the revised demands of the union.

One spokesman for the unio here said that company official could walk into the conferenc room Monday and agree t terms.

This, if it happened, could n

come too soon for rubber workers and the town. The strike has had an effect on the financial status of the striking employes and the economic life of borough stores and businesses.

The strike has left the idled workers with four payless weeks and the prospects of a fifth if an agreement is not reached early next week.

Financial relief of $25 weekly is being extended to members by the URW and assistance is available from th

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Eight Pickets Are Arrested In New Uniroyal Disorder

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Eight Pickets Are Arrested In New Uniroyal Disorder

Thurs. Sentinel MAY 25, 1967

Eight Pickets Are Arrested In New Uniroyal Disorder

Eight pickets were arrested today at the struck Uniroyal chemical plant in Naugatuck and charged with breach of the peace as violence flared there for the first time since May 5.

The arrests came after about 40 pickets had attempted to prevent some 500 office and management personnel from entering the plant. There was pushing and shoving, but no injuries.

Eight Naugatuck police officers under Capt. Joseph Summa cleared a way through the picket line for the management personnel, who entered the plant.

The picket line was reinforced this morning after the company had told the striking unions that it planned to resume production at the chemical plant. In recent weeks there had been only a few pickets at the Elm Street gate, where the violence flared just before 8 a.m. today.

Among those arrested were Joseph Rzesutek, 236 Rigg St., Oxford, president of Local 218, United Rubber Workers of America, and Dominic A. George of 33 Railroad Ave., Beacon Falls.

A Seymour man, Henry Hook, 167 West Church St., was freed in $20 bail. The others were released on their own recognizance.

ONE OF EIGHT Local 218 members arrested in Naugatuck at the gate of the Uniroyal Chemical Plant this morning is led away by police to be booked on charges of breach of peace. Local Pres. Joseph Rzeszutek was one of those charged.

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ONE OF EIGHT Local 218 members arrested in Naugatuck at the gate of the Uniroyal Chemical Plant this morning is led away by police to be booked on charges of breach of peace. Local Pres. Joseph Rzeszutek was one of those charged.

Thurs. May 25, 1967

ONE OF EIGHT Local 218 members arrested in Naugatuck at the gate of the Uniroyal Chemical Plant this morning is led away by police to be booked on charges of breach of peace. Local Pres. Joseph Rzeszutek was one of those charged.—King Photo.

Striking Rubber Workers Urge Boycott of Products

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tions.” Times 5-27-67

Striking Rubber Workers
Urge Boycott of Products

AKRON, Ohio, May 25 (AP)
—A campaign against the purchase of products made by three
struck rubber companies is being conducted by the United
Rubber Workers.

The companies struck by the
union April 20 when contracts
expired are Uniroyal, B. F.
Goodrich Company, and the
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. Workers at the General
Tire and Rubber and Goodyear
Tire and Rubber plants are
working on a day-to-day basis
while contract negotiations continue.

Peter Bommarito, union president, said Wednesday union
members on strike against the
three companies would be stationed at dealer stores with
posters asking customers not to
buy their products.

Pickets and Police Milled Around at the Gate to the Chemical Plant at Uniroyal in Naugatuck

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5-26-67

[IMAGE: Photograph showing pickets and police at a factory gate]

temical
ivision

UNIROYAL
U.S. RUBBER

MAIN
ENTRANCE

SALES INDUSTRIAL
CHEMICALS COATINGS
ORDNANCE TEXTILES

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CENTER

PICKETS AND POLICE milled around at the gate to the Chemical Plant at Uniroyal in Naugatuck this morning after police got word of rumored trouble and sent a large group of officers to the area. Nothing happened, and non-union employes entered the plant. The company, meanwhile, was proceeding with plans to seek an injunction of mass picketing at the Chemical Plant by Local 218, United Rubber Workers, similar to the one at the Footwear Plant regarding Local 45. A meeting was held this morning in Waterbury Superior Court with Judge Leo V. Gaffney. —King Photo

Picketing

(Continued from Page One)

from airplanes and smother the Viet Cong?” he asked.

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

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

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

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

Judge Gaffney on May 6 issued an order for a show cause hearing against Local 45 of the United Rubber Workers in connection with picketing at the Footwear Division, also in Naugatuck, 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 Gaffney 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 activities at the Chemical Plant.

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

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

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

Management lawyer, Atty. J. Kenneth Bradley, Bridgeport, said today in court, however, that the production was “partially” 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.”

Judge Gaffney, in asking for an end to the picket line difficulties, 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 he hoped he would not be forced to issue an injunction against the union.

Asks For Statement

Lawyer for the union, Atty. Daniel Baker, Stamford, advised Rzeszutek after the hearing to issue a statement on the company’s claims of production for the Vietnam effort.

Judge Gaffney commended the Naugatuck police for their handling of the picket line situation. He said the police were forced to make the arrests and were to be commended for doing their duty.

He said he hoped the order for a show cause hearing would act as a “restraining measure” and help to restore the good will between management and Local 218 that existed before Thursday’s incident.

Before this morning’s hearing, the scene at the strikebound Chemical Plant remained quiet as about 40 pickets circulated in front of the Elm St. gate in 40-degree weather. There were only two minor incidents, in contrast to the eight arrests there Thursday morning.

However, extra police were on duty as a precaution in the face of rumors to the effect that management personnel would not be allowed to enter the plant.

Although management personnel were greeted by name as they entered the plant, one man was challenged by pickets as he approached the line with a large briefcase under his arm.

Upon approaching the gate, he was instantly surrounded by pickets. After a few quick questions were asked, the man answered that the briefcase contained his lunch. The line broke and he was admitted to the plant.

Shortly after this challenge, one of the strikers spotted a car approaching the Elm St. gate. The driver was stopped while Rzeszutek criticized him for his actions Thursday when, according to Rzeszutek, the man drove the car through the line without slowing down.

PAPER MONEY

WASHINGTON — Paper bills cost the U. S. treasury about one cent each to produce.

Only about one woman in 250 is color blind.

Football Star

SEYMOUR—Nick DeFelice, a graduate of Derby High School who is now a lineman for the New York Jets team in the American Football League, will be the guest speaker at the second annual sports banquet of the Seymour Fathers Club Saturday.

Time To Consider

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Time To Consider

Saturday May 27, 1967

Time To Consider

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Local 45

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Local 45

5-28-67

Continued From Page 1

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

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

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

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

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

4 Pickets Are Arrested At Uniroyal

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4 Pickets Are Arrested At Uniroyal

5-31-67 [handwritten]

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

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

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

Safety Precautions

Company officials said safety precautions were being taken.

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

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

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

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

Arrest 4 At Synthetic Plant

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Arrest 4 At Synthetic Plant

5-31-67 UniRoyal Strike

Arrest 4 At Synthetic Plant

By RUTH NICHOLS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police started booking men

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Uniroyal Bargaining Units Fail To Meet

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Uniroyal Bargaining Units Fail To Meet

6-1-67

Uniroyal Bargaining Units Fail To Meet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Strike Negotiations

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be kept.

6-1-67

Strike Negotiations

Continued From Page 1

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

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

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

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

Strike Negotiations Resume Today In Ohio

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Strike Negotiations Resume Today In Ohio

Strike Negotiations Resume Today In Ohio

6-1-67 [handwritten]

The negotiating session between UniRoyal and the United Rubber Workers, scheduled for yesterday afternoon at 2 p.m., was canceled. No reason for the cancelation was given.

However, a meeting set for 10 a.m. today was expected to be held in Cincinnati.

The sessions had been recessed last Friday for the long holiday weekend and were scheduled to resume yesterday afternoon.

Picketing is calm at all three UniRoyal plants in the borough this morning. The Synthetic Plant yesterday morning was the scene of mass picketing.

The company announced its decision to resume production on a limited scale within the plant and members of Local 308 massed at the gate in an attempt to keep out supervisory personnel.

The line opened up after policemen forced a wedge with little resistance. Four of the pickets were booked on breach of peace charges while approximately 30 fellow members of Local 308 appeared at police headquarters in sympathy. All was quiet on the line by 8 o’clock yesterday morning.

The Chemical Division of UniRoyal has been in production on a limited scale for a week now as the strike enters its 42nd day.

Production is not being conducted at the Footwear plant, although considerable shipping has been done from its warehouse on Elm St.

Officials of both Local 218 of the Chemical and Local 308 of the Synthetic, have expressed concern as to the safety of the

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Time For Action

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Time For Action

Editorial….

6-3-67

Time For Action

Time is relative to many factors.

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

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

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

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

In short, it’s not good.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rubber Strike Negotiations Continue In Ohio Cities

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Rubber Strike

6-6-67

Negotiations Continue In Ohio Cities

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

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

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

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

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

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Letters to the Editor

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Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

29 George St.,
Naugatuck, Conn.

Editor
Naugatuck Daily News.
Dear Sir

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

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

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

6-7-67

ried citizen.

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

Thank you,
Mrs. Caroline Pereira

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

! ! !

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

! ! !

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

! ! !

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

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

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

4/12/67

By a WALL STREET JOURNAL Staff Reporter

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

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

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

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

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

By a WALL STREET JOURNAL Staff Reporter

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

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

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

Union, Uniroyal Talks Continuing In Cincinnati

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rbury American, Tuesday, April 18, 1967

Naugatuck

4-18-67

Union, Uniroyal Talks Continuing In Cincinnati

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

After that date the union may

Naugatuck Valley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uniroyal, Union Talks; No Agreement As Yet

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Uniroyal, Union Talk; No Agreement As Yet

4-19-67

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uniroyal, Union Resume Contract Talks Today

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Deadline Near

4-20-67 [handwritten]

Uniroyal, Union Resume Contract Talks Today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Officials Mum On Rubber Talks

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Officials Mum On Rubber Talks

4-20-67 [handwritten]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uniroyal, Union Still Negotiating As Midnight Strike Deadline Nears

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4-20-67

Uniroyal, Union Still Negotiating As Midnight Strike Deadline Nears

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naugatuck Rubber Workers Join Nation-Wide Strike

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Naugatuck Rubber Workers Join Nation-Wide Strike

4-21-67 [handwritten]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Picket lines across the coun-

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Strike—

Continued from Page 1

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

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

No talks were planned in the Uniroyal dispute.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chance Of Rubber Industry, Union Accord Before Monday Dim

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Contrasting Attitudes

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

Chance Of Rubber Industry, Union Accord Before Monday Dim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rubber

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Rubber

(Continued from Page One)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Cont’d on Page 4—RUBBER)

Uniroyal Workers Strike Naugatuck Plants

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Uniroyal Workers

Strike Naugatuck Plants

4-21-67

By TOM NUGENT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Others Strike

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naugatuck Rubber Strike Idles 5,000

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4-21-67

Naugatuck Rubber Strike Idles 5,000

By PATRICK KEATING
Register Staff Reporter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See STRIKE Page 2

‘There’s A

Naugatuck’s Quiet Strike Into 2nd Day

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4-22-67

Naugatuck’s Quiet Strike Into 2nd Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7

UniRoyal Strike Situation Quiet

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UniRoyal Strike Situation Quiet

4-22-67

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Strike

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Strike-

Continued from Page 1

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

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

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

Contract to Expire

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uniroyal Talks Due Wednesday

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Uniroyal Talks Due Wednesday

4-24-67 [handwritten date at top]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UniRoyal Strike Quiet Here; Negotiations Tomorrow In Ohio

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4-7-67

UniRoyal Strike Quiet Here; Negotiations Tomorrow In Ohio

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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THE WORKER, APRIL 25, 1967 Page 3

Voice of Youth To Be Heard at May Day Rally

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AID REFUSED

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against Negroes.

4-26-67

AID REFUSED

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

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

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

Some 5,500 workers are on

Uniroyal Tension Increases

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Uniroyal Tension Increases

5-3-67 [handwritten]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UniRoyal Strike Negotiations Continuing

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UniRoyal Strike Negotiations Continuing

5-1-67

Negotiating talks continued Sunday between the United Rubber Workers and UniRoyal as the strike has entered its second week. However, there is no indication from either side as to the progress.

The negotiating talks now concern the master contract. Once agreement is reached, the talks will be conducted on local levels.

All three of the borough Locals have been taking strike benefit applications from its membership. The striking employes received their last pays this weekend and are now facing payless days until the strike is settled and they complete a week’s work.

Presidents of the borough’s three Locals, George Froehlich, Local 45; Joseph Rzeszutek, Local 218; and Edward Alves, Local 308, are in Cincinnati participating in the talks.

Picketing continues in the borough at all gates of the plants in an orderly fashion. Picket lines of six persons are maintained at the gates with one police officer on hand. No attempt has been made by UniRoyal to cross the lines. Union officials are allowing white collar employes to continue working.

Picket Line Activity

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5-3-67

Picket Line Activity

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

Strike Will Increase Welfare Rolls

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Strike Will Increase Welfare Rolls

5-3-67

If the Uniroyal strike continues much longer the city welfare rolls will swell appreciably with strikers, Welfare Superintendent Peter Pocius said Monday.

Atty. Catherine DeLeon asked whether welfare payments to strikers constitutes “subsidizing labor.”

Pocius said Welfare payments are based on need and the reasons for it are not questioned. He pointed out, however, that the usual requirments that recipients be available for work must be met.

Al Maccarelli pointed out that Park Superintendent James Curtin has cited a critical need for help.

“I hope the strike doesn’t continue, but if it does Mr. Curtin will have some help,” Pocius said.

Pocius cited a case of one couple, both of whom work at Uniroyal, who applied for welfare in view of the strike, but were told to apply again next week.

He said five days before applying, the couple, which has five children, had received $140 in pay.

Pocius said strikers are being paid $25 per week out of the union’s strike fund. He said any welfare payments would make up the difference between the union payments and the regular standards of welfare payments.

The couple in question, Pocius said, protested not being immediately accepted for welfare payments.