Meeting of the Board

"Meeting of the Board" by Alan Edward Nourse is a science fiction story, set in a future where unions wield significant power, causing chaos within a major corporation. The story centers on Vice President Walter Towne's struggle against union boss Daniel P. Torkleson, amid plummeting sales and production at Robling Titanium Corporation, who threatens Walter's job due to the company's failures. Walter, with other frustrated managers, decides to strike back by sabotaging the machinery, sparking a labor-management battle. This bold move leads to a tumultuous board meeting where Walter challenges Torkleson, pushing for a balanced relationship between management and labor but upends the power structure with uncertain results. The story is designed to explore the dangers of extreme power imbalances in organizations and the crucial need for working together.