Final answer:
The National War Labor Board (NWLB) was a federal agency aimed at preventing work stoppages by arbitrating between labor and management during the World Wars. It worked with unions to ensure continuous production but had no power to jail individuals for noncompliance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The National War Labor Board (NWLB) was a federal agency established during both World War I and reestablished during World War II by President Roosevelt. Its primary objective was to arbitrate disagreements between labor and management, with the ultimate goal of preventing work stoppages that might affect the production of wartime supplies and munitions. Rather than focusing on training arbitrators or having the authority to imprison individuals, the NWLB worked to broker agreements between parties to ensure continuous production.
One key aspect of the NWLB was to help resolve labor disputes that arose from industrial actions, such as strikes, which could significantly impact wartime production. The board did not encourage the formation of labor unions in nonunion facilities or serve as a training ground for arbitrators. Moreover, it did not possess the authority to place a party who refused to abide by the arbitrator's award in jail. The NWLB did, however, work closely with labor unions during the war years, establishing partnerships to ensure that production targets were met and to address labor grievances fairly.