Monday, July 18, 2022

Biden intervenes in rail negotiations

United States President Joe Biden signed an executive order that keeps negotiations going to avert a national railway strike.

The order creates a Presidential Emergency Board.


“We are pleased that President Biden has taken an important step by creating a PEB to help all parties find a reasonable path forward,” says said Association of American Railroads (AAR) president and CEO Ian Jefferies. “An agreement that allows both our hardworking employees and the industry to thrive into the future remains possible.”



AAR points out the Railway Labor Act governs collective bargaining for the rail industry, which aims to help parties reach an agreement without work stoppages or disruptions to U.S. freight rail movements.


As part of that Act, the statute includes provisions to encourage successful negotiations and, when necessary, provide outside assistance, such as forming a PEB to facilitate a resolution.