428 - Statement by the President on the Longshoremen's Strike.

October4,1962
THE BOARD of Inquiry I established in the present longshore dispute has reported to me that there has not been agreement on any
of the major issues which divide the parties and that a quick settlement of the dispute is not likely.

Reports that I have received concerning the present and potential impact of this strike clearly indicate to me that its continuation
would imperil the national health and safety.

I have therefore directed the Attorney General to seek an injunction against this strike under the emergency provisions of the
Taft-Hartley Act.

While an injunction will return the longshoremen to work on our Atlantic and Gulf coasts for 80 days, it will not settle the dispute
which caused the strike. It is now the responsibility of labor and management in the industry, with the help of appropriate
governmental assistance, to resolve their differences. To help them do this, I have requested the members of the Board of Inquiry to
work with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in an attempt to bring the parties together in agreement.

I wish to thank the members of the Board of Inquiry for their diligent and expeditious handling of their report to me, and for their
willingness to help resolve this dispute.