Cub-Cletrac

Just 55 years ago today as International Harvester was gearing up for the production of their new Cub, the union was making rumblings about a long strike that would bring IH to its knees. In a little known action the brass negotiated a test run of Cubs to be assembled in the recently shut down Cletrac plant. There was a skeleton force mothballing the plant and the majority of the workforce would have been more than willing to return to an assembly line. Two boxcars of Cub components were sent with an initial run of 20 or 24 to be assembled. When they began the run it was found that three items had not been shipped. 1) Fenders, 2) IH red paint and 3) Grills. The enthusiastic work force went forward, 1) eliminating the fenders, 2) using leftover stocks of Cletrac Industrial Yellow & White and 3) modifying Cletrac �wheat pattern� grill stock that was on hand to fit. Needless to say the Union settled without going on strike and the 20 or 24 were supposed to be shipped back to the IH factory to be completed and repainted. 20 were shipped back, but 4 were slipped out the back gate by Cletrac employees. This is the only example know to survive but there may be 3 more. Keep an eye out for them. Submitted by Ollie, from NY