Final answer:
It is true that World War II increased the popularity of arbitration as union and management officials sought to maintain uninterrupted wartime production. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
World War II significantly increased the popularity of arbitration, and the statement that many union and management officials realized that uninterrupted wartime production was essential is true. The National War Labor Board (NWLB) was established to facilitate this process, ensuring that disputes between employers and employees could be resolved without resorting to strikes, which might hinder the war effort.
Union leaders made a 'no-strike pledge' for the duration of the war, seeing it as crucial for national defense and beneficial for their members. The agreement included protection of workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively, leading to a dramatic increase in union membership during the war period.
Hence, Option a is correct.