Learn about U.S. presidential interventions during labor disputes

Overview: The West Coast ports are slated to reopen Wednesday evening after a federal judge ordered a temporary restraining order to end a labor dispute that has choked U.S.-Asian trade and cost the U.S. economy an estimated $2 billion a day. How much authority does the U.S. government have in settling labor disputes? Why do presidents often become involved in these issues? Have students research some examples of presidential interventions during labor disputes and identify the underlying rationale for these presidential actions.

Have students read the story "Court Intervention Ends Port Lockout" and answer the following questions:

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1. Why were West Coast longshoremen locked out the ports for nearly two weeks? What is the status of this dispute? Why did President Bush become involved in the dispute? What is the Taft-Hartley Act? Why did Mr. Bush invoke the act? When was the last time that a U.S. president invoked this act? What could happen if an agreement isn't reached during the last 20 days of the cooling-off period?

2. What impact is this West Coast port dispute having on the economy? Have students create a chart that depicts the economic ripple effect of the dispute. Instruct students to note the actual and potential impact of the dispute on businesses, individuals and communities. Then ask: Which businesses are being affected the most? Why do you think that retail stocks rallied after Bush announced that he would seek a court order to reopen the West Coast ports?

3. How much authority does the U.S. government have in settling labor disputes? Why do presidents often become involved in these issues? Have groups of students research some of the instances of presidential interventions, such as when President Carter tried to force striking coal miners back to work in 1978. After students share their findings with the class, ask: What seems to be the underlying rationale for most of these presidential actions? Do you think President Bush should be involved in negotiating an end to the West Coast port dispute. Why or why not?