National War Labor Board Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is National War Labor Board?
The National War Labor Board (NWLB) was an independent government agency created during World War II in order to resolve labor disputes that could potentially disrupt the war effort. The NWLB was formed on January 12, 1942, under Executive Order 9017 from President Franklin D. Roosevelt and continued in operation until the end of the war in 1945. The primary purpose of the NWLB was to prevent labor strikes from disrupting essential wartime production by finding ways to satisfy both employers and employees without resorting to disruption or confrontation. To do this, it relied on a combination of negotiation and voluntary arbitration as means for settling disputes. The board also sought to reduce labor-management tensions by promoting fair employment practices and encouraging collective bargaining between unions and management. The NWLB had five members: two were appointed by the President, one each appointed by Congress and organized labor, and one mutually agreed upon by both sides. It also had a staff of lawyers who acted as mediators between management and union representatives during negotiations over wages, hours, working conditions, job security issues, etc., all with an eye toward helping businesses remain productive while ensuring that workers received fair compensation for their work. It should be noted that not all disputes were resolved peacefullythe board did have the power to impose decisions if necessarybut its effectiveness is credited with reducing industrial conflict during WWII significantly compared to World War I when there were numerous strikes throughout industry due largely to inadequate pay increases as well as poor working conditions in many factories producing arms or other materials needed for war production. Overall, the NWLB played an important role in maintaining harmony between employers and employees during WWII while helping ensure that essential materials needed for victory were produced despite any worker grievances or other issues related to the workplace environment at hand.