Maritime Labor Board

The Maritime Labor Board (MLB) was an independent US government agency with responsibilities for mediating and researching US labor law in relation to labor disputes in the maritime industry. In 1941, its mediation function lapsed, after which it focused exclusively on research.[1][2][3][4]

Maritime Labor Board
MLB
Agency overview
FormedJune 23, 1938
Preceding agency
DissolvedFebruary 14, 1942
JurisdictionFederal government of the United States
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Agency executives
  • Robert W. Bruere of New York, Chairman
  • Dr. Louis Bloch of San Francisco, Member
  • Claude E. Seehorn of Denver, Member
Parent agencyExecutive Office of the President

History

Creation

The Maritime Labor Board (MLB) was created by an amendment on June 23, 1948 (52 Stat. 968) to the Merchant Marine Act (49 Stat. 1985) of June 29, 1936.[1][2][3][4]

Operations

The MLB began with two major functions. First, it mediated labor disputes within the maritime industry. Second, it conducted research on maritime labor problems.[1]

From its founding to June 30, 1941, the MLB became involved in 118 disputes, advised 40 disputes, and observed 37 disputes. The Sailors' Union of the Pacific refused to deal with it at all; the National Maritime Union (NMU) would deal with it. Walter Galenson pronounced the MLB "unsuccessful" in 1960.[3]

Devolution

On June 23, 1941, an amendment (55 Stat. 259) to the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 let the MLB's mediation functions lapse. From then on, it focused only as a research agency.[1][2]

Closure

On February 14 (or 15), 1942, the MLB ceased operations due to exhaustion of appropriations.[1] Three days later, its files went to the National Archives.[2]

The Conciliation Service of the National Defense Mediation Board succeeded the MLB.

On May 24, 1950, President Harry S. Truman abolished the U.S. Maritime Commission, replaced by the Maritime Administration.[4]

Members

Board Members

In July 1938, the MLB's board included:

  • Robert W. Bruere of New York (chairman)
  • Dr. Louis Bloch of San Francisco (member)
  • Claude E. Seehorn of Denver (member)[5]

Staff members

From 1938 to 1940, Nathan Gregory Silvermaster was a staff member: he ran the Silvermaster Group under Soviet spy Elizabeth Bentley.[6]

See also

References
  1. Machette, Robert B. (1995). "Records of the Maritime Labor Board". National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  2. "Preliminary Inventory of the Records of the Maritime Labor Board". Indiana Magazine of History. 1950. Retrieved 21 October 2017. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Galenson, Walter (1960). The CIO Challenge to the AFL: A History of the American Labor Movement. Harvard University Press. pp. 451 (founding), 457 (unsuccessful). Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  4. Martin, Michael Rheta; Gelber, Leonard (1978). Dictionary of American History: With the Complete Text of the Constitution of the United States. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 396. ISBN 9780822601241. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  5. "First meeting of the maritime labor board". National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  6. "Hearings regarding Communist espionage in the United States Government". United States Government Printing Office (US GPO). 28 August 1950. p. 2875–2876. Retrieved 21 October 2017.

External sources
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