U.S. Emergency Board No. 118 Records

The Mine Workers, on November 30, 1956, requested a modification of its current agreement with the companies, and submitted twenty proposals. Negotiations began and the companies submitted five counter proposals. The services of the National Mediation Board were requested on February 5, 1957 and mediation continued until March 22 without any success, The Mediation Board suggested arbitration, which the union rejected.

On May 9, 1957 the President of the United Statesappointed an emergency board consisting of Nathan Cayton, Dudley E. Whiting and Morrison Handsaker. Hearings wereheld and the Board visited and inspected the docks of two of the companies. Wages, fringe benefits, working rulesand grievances were among the twenty-five issues involved. The Board's report was prepared in three parts, since some recommendations applied to all three companies and some did no and issued on June 7. 1957.