A chronology of the railroad featherbedding battle:
1959
February. The railroads ask the unions to join them in requesting a study by a presidential commission.
June. The unions refuse.
August. The railroads ask President Eisenhower to set up a study commission anyway.
September. Ike declines.
November. The railroads propose a list of work-rules changes, begin negotiations with the unions.
1960
July-October. Switching to another track, the unions ask for a study by a presidential commission. The railroads insist that the commission proposals be binding. The unions balk at that. Finally the railroads agree to a non-binding study.
November. Ike names a 15-member commission.
1961
February-November. Chaired by Lawyer Simon Rifkind, the...
