J. - National Labor Relations Board

IV. WORK OF THE BOARD 21these disputes would have culminated in strikes.' In 406 cases strikesand lockouts were already in progress when the Board intervened.As a result of the Board's activities these 405 disputes were settledand 51,660 workers reinstated. In addition, the Board through itsactivities during ,the year, averted 143 strikes, involving 25,276workers.Of the 3,069 cases settled by the Board, 2,072 were cases involvingunfair labor practices. The settlements in these cases covered everytype of unfair labor practice listed under section 8 of the act. Itshould be noted that the settlements in most of the cases coveredmore than one violation of the act. The figures given below showthe number of settlements under each of the five unfair labor practiceslisted in section 8 of the act.In 712 of the cases in which settlements were affected, employerswere charged with interference with the rights of workers as guaranteedunder section 7 of the act. As a result of the settlements, theyagreed to post notices which, in general, stated that they agreed tocease and desist from interference with their employees' right ofself-organization. These notices affected 118,367 workers.In 142 cases in which settlements were secured, the employers werecharged with dominating and interfering with labor organizationsof their employees, cGritrary to section 8 (2) of the act. The settlementsin these cases involved their agreement to cease dominatingand interfering with these labor organizations. Such settlementsaffected 36,213 workers.In 948 cases in which settlements were secured, the employers werecharged with violating section 8 (3) of the act which forbids employersfrom discriminating against their employees for union activity.The settlements in these cases resulted in the reinstatement of6,155 workers and 337 cases involving 1,818 workers led to the paymentof $273,918 in back wages. These back wages were paid toworkers who had been forced out of employment in violation of the act.One of the major causes of labor disputes is the unwillingness onthe part of employers to recognize the chosen representatives of theiremployees. Thus, the settlement of charges arising under section8 (5) of the act, which makes the refusal of employers to bargaincollectively with the representatives of their employees an unfairlabor practice, is a contribution to industrial peace.Through Board intervention and in the informal stages of theBoard's proceedings, employers agreed to recognize unions in 877•cases, affecting 128,944 workers. As a result of this recognitioncollective bargaining contracts were consummated in 745 cases. Ofthese 745 contracts, 618 were reduced to writing and 127 were basedon oral understandings. In an additional 43 cases, collective bargainingwas going on at the time the Board's cases were closed andthe results of such negotiations are not available.The above information on settlements is not a complete summaryof the results of Board intervention in labor disputes arising underthe act during the fiscal year 1938-39. The number of workersreinstated does not include those workers who refused reinstatementbecause they already had secured positions elsewhere. No informationis given on settlements which result in improved working condi-3 See appendix A, p. 187.