U.S. Emergency Board No. 138 Records

U.S. Emergency Board No. 138 was created in 1961 by President Kennedy in response to a strike called by the Order of Railroad Telegraphers against the Southern Pacific Railroad Co.

A dispute arose when the Telegraphers, in response to severe job cutbacks due to abandonments and automation, requested that no position in existence as of April 1st, 1958 be abolished or discontinued except by agreement between the carrier and the Telegraphers. The union invoked mediation because the parties were unable to come to any agreement. Before the mediation efforts were exhausted, the Telegraphers proposed rules which barred unilateral transfer of any functions, work and positions performed or held by telegraphers; required payment of severence pay to displaced workers? and guaranteed a certain minimum to telegraphers when they consented to the merger or consolidation of jobs. Negotiations were continued but when no agreement was reached, the Telegraphers successfully requested the service of the National Mediation Board again.

The Board was appointed in July and met that month and the following August. Reporting in September, the Board concluded that the union's position as stated was "Neither a practical nor realistic solution to the problem of employee displacement" and recommended that the carrier and union agree to protections for adversely affected employees, including dismissal pay, moving expenses and property loss allowances.