President Donald Trump has established an emergency board to investigate labor disputes between the Long Island Rail Road Company and five unions representing its workers.
Trump’s executive order creates a three-member panel effective September 18.
The move freezes any changes to working conditions for 120 days while federal mediators examine the stalled negotiations. The emergency board must report its findings within 30 days.
Five labor organizations are involved in the disputes: the Transportation Communications Union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Previous attempts to resolve the disputes under the Railway Labor Act have failed.
The unions requested Presidential intervention under Section 9A of the Railway Labor Act. The law requires the President to appoint an emergency board when asked by parties to a railway labor dispute.
Trump will appoint the board’s chair and two additional members. Board members cannot have financial interests in any railroad company or union.
During the 120-day cooling-off period, neither the railroad nor the unions can alter existing work conditions without mutual agreement. The National Mediation Board will maintain the board’s records after it completes its work.
The Department of Transportation will cover publication costs for the executive order. The board dissolves automatically after submitting its report to the President.
