Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between Metro North Commuter Railroad and Its Employees Represented by Certain Labor Organizations

President Clinton established a three-member emergency board to investigate labor disputes between Metro North Commuter Railroad and its employees represented by 12 labor organizations under the Railway Labor Act. The board must report within 30 days, and during its existence plus 120 days total, neither side may change disputed conditions without agreement.

Federal Register Open PDF 60 FR 10475

Impact dates

Jun 22, 1995
120-day status quo freeze expires
Mar 24, 1995
Board report to President due

Key directives

Establish 3-member emergency board effective February 22, 1995
Board must report within 30 days of creation
120-day status quo freeze from board creation date
Board records maintained by National Mediation Board after termination
Board terminates upon report submission

Timeline

Immediate

Emergency board established February 22, 1995
Status quo conditions frozen for 120 days

Near term (90d)

Board must report to President by March 24, 1995 (30 days)
120-day freeze expires June 22, 1995

Long term

Potential for continued mediation or arbitration if disputes unresolved
Board records transferred to National Mediation Board upon termination

Risks & tensions

Commuter disruption risk if 30-day investigation fails to yield settlement and parties remain deadlocked after 120-day freeze
Multiple unions involved (12) may complicate unified bargaining position
Status quo freeze prevents either side from leveraging pressure tactics temporarily
Vague: 'subject to availability of funds' qualifier on board operations