What was the purpose of the War Labor Board?

The National War Labor Board was established as part of the wartime bureaucracy in the United States twice, in World Wars I and II. Its purpose in each war was the same--to avoid major labor disputes that might lead to work stoppages or strikes in industries that were crucial to the war effort. During each war, and especially World War II, the federal government took a central role in planning and organizing the production of...

The National War Labor Board was established as part of the wartime bureaucracy in the United States twice, in World Wars I and II. Its purpose in each war was the same--to avoid major labor disputes that might lead to work stoppages or strikes in industries that were crucial to the war effort. During each war, and especially World War II, the federal government took a central role in planning and organizing the production of munitions, military vehicles, supplies, and other war materiel that dominated the American economy. Facilities that had produced civilian consumer goods or even some heavy industrial goods switched to turning out military equipment. While workers saw their wages increase during this period, labor disputes still broke out over working conditions, production quotas, and many other things. It was the job of the War Labor Board to intervene in these disputes, acting as an arbitrator whose decisions were legally binding. This was one of many examples of the ways the federal government enlarged its own powers to meet the challenges of the war.