The company announced that it would pay its employees today but would not discuss differences with the strikers while they continued what management officials termed a wildcat walkout.
The company currently has a contract with Wiss Employees Independent Union. But Local 301 of the CIO's Playthings, Jewelry and Novelty Workers Union, is seeking recognition as bargaining agent for the 500 production workers at the plant. The union claims to have signed up a majority of the workers and has petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a presentation election.