National War Labor Board

Definition

The National War Labor Board was a government agency established during World War I to help manage labor-management relations and disputes in industries vital to the war effort. It played a key role in the United States' preparation for and mobilization during the war.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The National War Labor Board was created in 1918 by President Woodrow Wilson to help maintain labor peace and productivity during World War I.
2. The board had the authority to investigate labor disputes, make recommendations, and issue rulings to help resolve conflicts between employers and workers.
3. The NWLB promoted the idea of collective bargaining, where labor unions and management could negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions.
4. The NWLB's decisions helped establish the eight-hour workday and time-and-a-half pay for overtime as common labor standards.
5. The NWLB's actions and rulings during World War I laid the groundwork for greater government involvement in labor-management relations in the decades that followed.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and role of the National War Labor Board during World War I.
  • The National War Labor Board was established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1918 to help manage labor-management relations and disputes in industries vital to the war effort. The board had the authority to investigate labor conflicts, make recommendations, and issue rulings to help resolve disputes between employers and workers. Its primary goals were to maintain labor peace and productivity to support the United States' war mobilization.
• Describe how the National War Labor Board promoted the idea of collective bargaining and its impact on labor standards.
  • The National War Labor Board played a key role in promoting the concept of collective bargaining, where labor unions and management could negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions. The board's decisions helped establish the eight-hour workday and time-and-a-half pay for overtime as common labor standards. These actions laid the groundwork for greater government involvement in labor-management relations in the decades that followed, as the NWLB's rulings and policies became more widely adopted and accepted.
• Analyze the long-term significance of the National War Labor Board's actions and policies during World War I.
  • The National War Labor Board's policies and decisions during World War I had lasting impacts on labor relations and standards in the United States. By promoting collective bargaining and establishing key labor protections, the NWLB helped shift the balance of power between employers and workers, giving unions and employees a greater voice in determining workplace conditions. This laid the foundation for the growth of the labor movement and increased government regulation of labor-management relations in the 20th century. The NWLB's actions during the war also demonstrated the potential for the federal government to play a more active role in mediating labor disputes, setting a precedent for future government intervention in industrial relations.

Related terms

War Industries Board:

A government agency created during World War I to coordinate the production and distribution of resources and materials needed for the war effort.

Collective Bargaining:

The process of negotiation between employers and employees (or their representatives) to determine the conditions of employment, such as wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions.

Labor Unions:

Organizations of workers who have joined together to achieve common goals related to their work environment, wages, benefits, and other workplace issues.