Meeting of the Board

"Meeting of the Board" by Alan Edward Nourse is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. The book explores themes of power dynamics and the consequences of union control within a corporate setting. It follows the challenges faced by Walter Towne, a vice president at the Robling Titanium Corporation, as he navigates a corporate environment transformed by union leadership. In the story, the Robling Titanium Corporation finds itself in a crisis due to poor sales and production issues, largely a result of management’s inability to effectively lead in the wake of union control. Walter Towne is summoned by the union secretary, Daniel P. Torkleson, who confronts him with alarming production reports and threatens him with job loss. As the situation escalates, Towne and a group of discontented managers decide to go on strike, locking the company’s machines in a way that only they can unlock. This act of defiance precipitates a labor-management showdown, leading to an unexpected and chaotic board meeting where Towne seizes the opportunity to turn the tide against Torkleson and advocate for a new, balanced approach to management and labor relations. The story ultimately questions the sustainability of extreme power shifts in organizational structures and the importance of cooperation for mutual benefit.