International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers collection of 1967 railroad strike records

In 1966, railroad shopcraft workers and their unions perceived a disparity between wages in their industry and others. Entering negotiations with the carriers’ National Railway Conference, the unions--the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW); the International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers & Helpers; the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America; and the International Brotherhood of Firemen & Oilers--proposed wage increases and other changes to work rules. The National Mediation Board unsuccessfully worked with the parties from October until January 1967, when it suggested taking the dispute to arbitration. The unions, representing about 137,000 workers, rejected arbitration. Under the Railway Labor Act, President Lyndon Johnson authorized a Presidential Emergency Board (No. 169) to draft a proposed settlement. Both unions and carriers rejected the board’s March recommendation.

The unions were prepared to strike, and in April, Congress passed legislation to delay a railroad walkout. In May, the strike deadline was extended into June. The Johnson administration proposed “mediation to finality” between the unions and carriers. While Congress debated the administration proposal, the unions voluntarily extended their strike deadline to July 15. When that deadline passed, IAMAW authorized its members to strike. IAMAW and its president, P. L. Siemiller, opposed the binding arbitration proposed in the pending legislation strongly. The AFL-CIO Railway Employees’ Department did not authorize a strike, but members of the other unions honored IAMAW picket lines. The national strike was very brief, as Congress approved the president’s plan for a special board to mediate or settle the dispute on July 17. Once again, the parties did not reach agreement, and, as authorized, the panel, chaired by Senator Wayne Morse, imposed a settlement in September. In addition to wage increases, the settlement authorized a Department of Labor study of wage compression among skilled shopcraft workers.