12 rail unions and NCCC enter cooling-off period

(Source: National Mediation Board press release, June 17, 2022)

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The National Mediation Board (NMB) confirms that, pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) and the twelve unions noted below were released by the NMB from statutory Mediation on June 17, 2022, and a 30-day cooling-off period begins on June 18, 2022. Absent agreements or the establishment of a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB), the parties could exercise Self-Help as of 12:01 a.m. EDT, July 18, 2022.

In an effort to assist the parties further in reaching agreements, the NMB is scheduling public interest meetings commencing on July 12, 2022. Meetings are not open to the public.

The twelve unions include the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED), Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers (IBB), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, District of Local 32BJ, SEIU (NCFO), International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Railroad, Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD), International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD), Transportation Communications Union/IAM (TCU/IAM), and the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU).

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The National Mediation Board (NMB) is an independent agency created by the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor management relations in the railroad and airline industries.  To avoid serious disruptions to the Nation’s economy and protect the public interest, the Act imposes on carriers and their employees the duty of settling disputes through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.  The NMB, headed by three Presidential appointees, has as its chief statutory responsibilities: (1) mediation of collective bargaining disputes; (2) determination of employee representation for collective bargaining processes; and (3) administration of a grievance arbitration system.