Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between Certain Railroads Represented by the National Railway Labor Conference and Their Employees Represented by the Transportation Communications International Union

President Clinton established a three-member emergency board to investigate a labor dispute between numerous railroads (represented by the National Railway Labor Conference) and the Transportation Communications International Union. The board must report within 30 days, during which time neither party may change the conditions underlying the dispute.

Federal Register Open PDF 61 FR 21943

Impact dates

Jul 7, 1996
Status quo maintenance period ends (30 days after report)
Jun 7, 1996
Board must report to President

Key directives

Establish three-member Emergency Board effective May 8, 1996
Board members must have no financial or other interest in railroad employee organizations or railroad carriers
Board shall report to President within 30 days of creation
Maintain status quo conditions for 30 days after Board reports
Board records to be maintained by National Mediation Board after termination
Board terminates upon submission of report

Timeline

Immediate

Emergency Board established effective May 8, 1996
Status quo freeze on working conditions takes effect

Near term (90d)

Board must report to President within 30 days
30-day post-report cooling-off period maintains status quo
Board terminates upon report submission

Long term

Potential for resumed negotiations or further federal intervention if dispute persists
Precedent for Railway Labor Act emergency board procedures

Risks & tensions

Vague: 'availability of funds' condition for Board operations creates uncertainty if appropriations are delayed
Dispute threatens 'substantially to interrupt interstate commerce' per National Mediation Board finding
Large number of railroads involved (60+ entities) complicates unified resolution
Status quo freeze may strain either party depending on economic conditions during 60-day window