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EO 13012Executive OrderClinton · D

Executive Order 13012

Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and Their Employees Represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

President Clinton established a three-member emergency board to investigate a labor dispute between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and its locomotive engineers represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers under the Railway Labor Act. The board was created effective July 19, 1996, must report within 30 days, and its establishment triggers a 120-day cooling-off period during which neither party may change working conditions.

Federal Register Open PDF 61 FR 38051

Impact dates

  1. End of 120-day status quo period

  2. Board report due to President

  3. Board establishment effective date

Key directives

  • Establish three-member board effective July 19, 1996
  • Board members must have no financial or other interest in railroad employee organizations or carriers
  • Board must report to President within 30 days of creation
  • Maintain status quo conditions for 120 days from board creation unless parties agree otherwise
  • Transfer board records to National Mediation Board upon termination
  • Board terminates upon report submission

Timeline

Immediate

  • Board established effective July 19, 1996
  • 30-day reporting clock begins
  • 120-day status quo period begins

Near term (90d)

  • Board must submit report to President by August 18, 1996
  • Status quo period continues through November 16, 1996

Long term

  • Board terminates upon report submission
  • Records transferred to National Mediation Board custody
  • Potential for renewed labor action after 120-day period expires

Risks & tensions

  • Standard Railway Labor Act procedure—no unusual procedural tensions flagged
  • Uncertainty: 'subject to availability of funds' clause creates potential execution risk if appropriations lapse
  • Vague: no specific consequences defined if parties violate status quo period
  • Geographic scope limited to single transit authority; low systemic spillover risk
Executive Order 13012: Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and Their Employees Represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers · Executive Orders