National Mediation Board
Encyclopedia
The National Mediation Board (NMB) is an independent agency of the United States government that coordinates labor-management relations within the U.S. railroad and airline industries.
of 1926 and is headed by a three-person panel of Presidential appointees.
NMB programs provide an integrated dispute resolution
process to meet the statutory objective of minimizing strikes
and other work stoppages in the airline
and railroad industries. The NMB's integrated processes specifically are designed to promote three statutory goals:
Under the Railway Labor Act, an airline or railroad union contract does not expire; it remains in force and amendable until a new contract is ratified by the union members, or until either side exercises "self help," which could be a strike
by employees or a lockout
by management. Before this can happen, the NMB-appointed mediator
must delare an impasse in negotiations, which starts a 30-day cooling off period, during which negotiations continue. Once the 30-day period has passed, either side is free to exercise self-help, unless the President
authorizes a Presidential Emergency Board. Congress also has the power to impose a contract, although this has rarely happened in recent years.
History
The board was established by the 1934 amendments to the Railway Labor ActRailway Labor Act
The Railway Labor Act is a United States federal law that governs labor relations in the railroad and airline industries. The Act, passed in 1926 and amended in 1934 and 1936, seeks to substitute bargaining, arbitration and mediation for strikes as a means of resolving labor disputes...
of 1926 and is headed by a three-person panel of Presidential appointees.
NMB programs provide an integrated dispute resolution
Dispute resolution
Dispute resolution is the process of resolving disputes between parties.-Methods:Methods of dispute resolution include:* lawsuits * arbitration* collaborative law* mediation* conciliation* many types of negotiation* facilitation...
process to meet the statutory objective of minimizing strikes
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
and other work stoppages in the airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
and railroad industries. The NMB's integrated processes specifically are designed to promote three statutory goals:
- The prompt and orderly resolution of disputes arising out of the negotiation of new or revised collective bargainingCollective bargainingCollective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
agreements; - The effectuation of employee rights of self-organization where a representation dispute exists; and
- The prompt and orderly resolution of disputes over the interpretation or application of existing agreements.
Under the Railway Labor Act, an airline or railroad union contract does not expire; it remains in force and amendable until a new contract is ratified by the union members, or until either side exercises "self help," which could be a strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
by employees or a lockout
Lockout (industry)
A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.- Causes :...
by management. Before this can happen, the NMB-appointed mediator
Mediation
Mediation, as used in law, is a form of alternative dispute resolution , a way of resolving disputes between two or more parties. A third party, the mediator, assists the parties to negotiate their own settlement...
must delare an impasse in negotiations, which starts a 30-day cooling off period, during which negotiations continue. Once the 30-day period has passed, either side is free to exercise self-help, unless the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
authorizes a Presidential Emergency Board. Congress also has the power to impose a contract, although this has rarely happened in recent years.