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Conversation 007-036

TapeTape 7StartFriday, July 30, 1971 at 9:13 AMEndFriday, July 30, 1971 at 9:15 AMTape start time01:52:35Tape end time01:55:01ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Shultz, George P.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and George Shultz coordinated a brief appearance by the President at a meeting between United Transportation Union head Charles Luna and railroad industry representatives. The goal was to exert pressure on both labor and management to resolve a damaging strike through private collective bargaining without explicitly threatening government intervention. Shultz recommended that Nixon deliver a statement emphasizing the administration's concern regarding the strike's economic impact, with White House photographer Ollie Atkins documenting the session to convey presidential involvement.

Railroad strikeCollective bargainingLabor relationsUnited Transportation UnionEconomic impact
AudioNARA Description

On July 30, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and George P. Shultz talked on the telephone from 9:13 am to 9:15 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 007-036 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 7-36

Date: July 30, 1971
Time: 9:13 am - 9:15 am
Location: White House Telephone

George P. Shultz talked with the President.

[See Conversation No. 267-4]

     Railroad meeting
           -Charles Luna, United Transportation Union
           -Stephen Ailes, American Railroad Association
           -John P. (“Jack”) Hiltz, Jr., railroad negotiator
           -Impact of strike

           -The President's appearance
                 -Strike
                 -Collective bargaining
           -Paul W. McCracken
           -James D. Hodgson
           -Willie J. Usery
           -George A. Lincoln
           -The President's appearance
                 -Timing
                 -Oliver F. (“Ollie”) Atkins
                       -Photograph
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

We have Luna, the head of the United Transportation Union, Steve Ailes, the head of the American Railroad Association, and Jack Hiltz, the negotiator for the railroads here.
And we're in the midst of describing the impact of the strike to them.
I think it would make quite an impact if you were
collective bargaining issues settled by collective bargaining and worked out by the private parties and urge them to do that.
Just now not to indicate that we have to do something if they don't do it because they're...
I wouldn't say that.
Obviously we do.
But I think that just expressing your concern and the fact that we're all watching the impact of this and it is getting to the point where we...
It's very damaging, and of course, you can just say other people here have reviewed that.
Paul McCracken is here, Jim Hudson, Bill Essary, Abe Lincoln.
Well, we met in the cabinet room, and the labor and management people are seated on either side of your chair, which is empty, of course.
Yeah, yeah.
And I think it would be good to have Ollie come in and take a picture, which could be released, and then just say your piece and leave.
Well, no, I think it would be good to sit down and let Ollie take a picture while you're talking to them.
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