The Taft-Hartley Act also allows the U.S. President to intervene in national emergency strikes. These are strikes that might “imperil the national health and safety." The President may appoint a board of inquiry and, based on its report, apply for an injunction restraining the strike for 60 days. If the parties don’t reach a settlement during that time, the President can have the injunction extended for another 20 days. During this last period, employees take a secret ballot to ascertain their willingness to accept the employer’s last offer.
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