**Date:** Monday, July 17, 1967
**Source:** BEACON FALLS
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Negotiations were to resume today in Cincinnati between the United Rubber Workers, AFL-CIO, and Uniroyal in an atmosphere of optimism over recent settlements in the rubber industry.
Union agreements with two members of the industry’s big five — B. F. Goodrich Co. and the General Tire and Rubber Co. — have lifted hopes for an accord with Uniroyal, which has plants in Naugatuck and Beacon Falls. Uniroyal has been struck since April 21.
Negotiations were also to be resumed today by Goodyear at Cincinnati and Firestone in Cleveland.
The Goodrich company was ready today for a quick start-up of production at its nine plants in eight states after an agreement was reached in Columbus Saturday.
A tentative settlement was reached with General Tire Thursday in Cleveland.
Union members are expected to ratify both pacts in votes not yet scheduled.
Both the Goodrich and General agreements provide for a total of 43 cents in hourly pay raises – 15 cents this year and again next year and 13 cents in 1969. There is an additional 10 cents hourly in the first year for skilled workers. Pres-ent hourly top scale is $3.88, the union said.
An increase to 80 per cent of normal pay for supplemental benefits to laid-off workers was hailed by Peter Bommariro, URW international president, as a “giant step forward in reaching the goal of the guaranteed annual wage.”