Establishment of Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between Long Island Rail Road Company and Labor Unions

Strategic Insights -

The dispute between the Long Island Rail Road Company and certain labor organizations has been ongoing, involving unions such as 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. These unions have requested the establishment of an emergency board under the provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as amended. President Donald J. Trump has now established an emergency board to investigate and report on these disputes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The emergency board is composed of a chair and two other members, appointed by the President, to investigate and report on the disputes between the Long Island Rail Road Company and labor unions.
  • The board shall report to the President within 30 days of its creation, as per section 2 of the order.
  • A 120-day moratorium has been imposed on any changes to the conditions that gave rise to the disputes, as provided by section 9A(c) of the Railway Labor Act.
  • The records and files of the board will be maintained by the National Mediation Board upon its termination.
  • The costs for publication of the order will be borne by the Department of Transportation.
  • The emergency board is established to investigate the disputes between the Long Island Rail Road Company and labor unions represented by 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.
  • The labor organizations involved in the disputes had requested the establishment of an emergency board under the Railway Labor Act.

Statistics:

  • 30 days: The time frame within which the emergency board is required to report to the President on the disputes.
  • 120 days: The maximum duration of the moratorium on changes to the conditions that gave rise to the disputes.
  • 1: The number of emergency board established by President Donald J. Trump.
  • 5: The number of labor unions involved in the disputes, including 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.

Sources:

  • "Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. 151-188 (RLA)"
  • "NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 9A of the RLA" (Executive Order by President Donald J. Trump)