ABERNETHY, Byron R. (b. 1909) | Oral History

ABERNETHY, Byron R. (b. 1909)

Profession: Labor arbitrator

Oral Histories

Labor arbitrator, Lubbock, Texas. Circumstances surrounding termination of his employment at Texas Tech University.
Date of Interview: January 6, 1981

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Labor arbitrator, Lubbock, Texas; director of regional War Labor Board, Dallas, Texas. Family background; farming near Beach, North Dakota; activities as principal in Dodge, North Dakota; employment in political science department at University of North Dakota, 1937; experiences during the Great Depression; research on crop insurance and liberty concepts in labor relations; activities as director of regional War Labor Board office in Dallas and as vice-chairman of the Board, 1943-45; contributions of War Labor board to bargaining process; employment in political science department at Texas Tech, 1947; discussion of “ad hoc” and “permanent” arbitrators; comments on arbitration process and selection of cases to arbitrate; comments on operating requirements of professional arbitrator; comparison of 1940s and 1980s arbitration processes; views on injection of legalism in arbitration process; explanation of expedited procedures; comments on differences in arbitrating in Northeast and Southwest; “ego security” as a factor in arbitration cases; discussion of origin of full-time professional arbitrators; purposes of and involvement with the National Academy of Arbitrators.
Date of Interview: January 6, 1981

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