This Day in History: 1940-05-11
Negotiations between the Brake Shoe Company and the American Federation of Labor (AFL) broke off, ending hopes that a protracted strike at the Mahwah plant might be ended. The company rejected the demand for a “closed shop”, stating that it was against company policy. It also refused a general wage increase, saying that it would handicap the company in competing in the open market. The company said that they would entertain requests for raises from individual departments through the grievance process and they might grant some if they felt that they would be justified. The meeting was held in the company offices in Mahwah, with attorney Jack Freedland, President Rocco Falliero and Secretary Carmine Santo representing the union and attorney William Brennan, Plant Manager W. S. Fraula speaking for the company. As a mass meeting held in the Mahwah Town Hall, the resulted of the meeting were summarized. A further set of demands were agreed upon for later meetings and the strike was to continue. President Faliero explained that contracts in other plants prevented their going out in sympathy with the Mahwah workers. He bitterly denounced the organizing activities of the CIO labor union during the previous week. Only the AFL was authorized to bargain for the Mahwah workers, he stated. (Bristow)