1978 was the year of Local 587's second strike. This time around, the company was pushing flexibility, an issue that the workers felt strongly about. There was also an issue with the pay-scale in Portsmouth, RI being much lower than that of the sister plants in Massachusetts. There was much work at the time and the company was expanding. What also made it an easy decision to strike was the fact that management at the time was "cracking down" on breaks and bullying the workers to increase production.

With flexibility taken off the table and receiving the pay-raise of "Parity" with the northern plants, We returned to work in 9 days.

In 1978, Thomas Mahoney was President and Anthony Piermont was Vice President. Edward Ferreira was Chief Steward with Shop Committee members Angelo Latini, Lucy Levada and Anthony Piermont rounding out the Negotiating Committee. Sally Battista was Recording Secretary and Charles F. Souza was Secretary Treasurer.

Local 587 enjoyed a 10.98% raise for this year per the contract, dated March 1, 1978.

The negotiating committee, along with Business Agent John R. Capobianco, met with the following company negotiators to forge this year's contract: Ralph Martin, Richard Osborn, Paul Peterson, Charles Anastasia, John P. Giordano, John Mahon, Lawrence Brigham, William Hughes, Joseph Cahill