The convention's final action ordered a strike vote unless the employers complied with the union demands by March 7-the next day. If the union demands were not met by March 22nd, a strike would be called in all Pacific Coast ports at 8:00 A.M., March 23. In its final hours, too, the convention instructed the newly elected executive board to have all Pacific Coast locals convene port-byport conferences of all marine unions and marine workers, orga- nized and unorganized, to organize united support behind the union's demands.

Longshoremen voted in mid-March to strike, 6,616 to 699. The ballot put the question ambiguously: "Members in favor of calling a strike for recognition of the International Longshoremen's Association, effective 8 A.M. March 23, will vote yes. Members against a strike at that time will vote no. If the employers have agreed to collective bargaining before March 23rd, this ballot is void." Frequently in the weeks ahead the employers argued that the ballot sought only recognition, made no mention of wages or hours, that the walkout was being continued for purposes that went beyond "recognition" and was, therefore, unauthorized.