BLET NEWS FLASH

President Biden appoints PEB to investigate national rail contract dispute 

https://ble-t.org/news/president-biden-appoints-peb-to-investigate-national-rail-contract-dispute/

The United Rail Unions issue the following statement July 15, 2022:

The Rail Unions who are bargaining as part of the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way/SMART Mechanical Coalition attended the Public Interest Hearings hosted by the members of the National Mediation Board on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 and we thank the National Mediation Board for their efforts to help the parties reach a voluntary agreement. Unfortunately, the Nation’s rail carriers continue to refuse to negotiate an agreement that our members would accept.

As a result, and as was expected, President Biden announced today that he is appointing a Presidential Emergency Board before the expiration of the cooling off period at 12:00 AM on Monday, July 18, 2022. The Presidential Emergency Board will have thirty days to convene, hear the positions of the Unions and rail carriers, and issue recommendations for settlement of the dispute. A second thirty-day cooling off period will begin when those recommendations are issued.

The Rail Unions remain united in their efforts, and are now working together in preparation of a unified case representing the best interests of all rail employees before the Presidential Emergency Board. Our unified case will clearly show that the Unions’ proposals are supported by current economic data and are more than warranted when compared to our memberships’ contribution to the record profits of the rail carriers. 

Additional information will be provided as developments warrant. We appreciate your continuing support.