National War Labor Board (1918–1919)

It was composed of twelve members, including five representatives each from business and the American Federation of Labor (AFL), as well as co-chairs Frank P. Walsh and former president William Howard Taft.

Although it opposed the disruption of war production by strikes, it supported an eight-hour day for workers, equal pay for women, and the right to organize unions and bargain collectively.

Although the NWLB had no coercive enforcement power, public pressure during the war period often led to voluntary agreements between labor and employers.

[2] This action gave the NWLB far more power in its work for the rest of the war, and strengthened the position of labor during the time.

Of the cases, 591 were dismissed, 315 were referred to other federal labor agencies, and 520 resulted in formal awards or findings.