As expected, President Joe Biden announced his intention to create a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) on Friday, July 15, 2022. In accordance with the Railway Labor Act, the board will now examine the state of National Rail Contract negotiations and deliver its conclusions within 30 days. After these recommendations are considered by both labor and the carriers, another 30-day cooling-off period will commence (see graphic).
Here is the White House announcement of the PEB.
Rail labor has issued two statements in reaction to the announcement of the PEB. Both reflect the solidarity and unity all of the organizations involved are acting under as we enter into this new phase.
From the United Rail Unions:
From the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, an umbrella organization of all the unions involved in these negotiations:
As we proceed through the RLA process, your union will continue to keep you informed every step of the way. Only by standing together and getting the truth out to all who will listen about the carriers will we be able to get the fair agreement our essential workers deserve.