Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate a Dispute Between United Airlines, Inc., and its Mechanics and Related Employees Represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

This executive order creates a three-member emergency board to investigate a labor dispute between United Airlines and its mechanics represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The board must report within 30 days, during which time neither party may change existing working conditions without mutual agreement.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 66705

Impact dates

Feb 19, 2002
Status quo maintenance period ends (30 days after report)
Jan 20, 2002
Board report due to President
Dec 21, 2001
Emergency board established

Key directives

Establish three-member emergency board effective December 21, 2001
Board members must have no financial or other interest in airline unions or carriers
Board shall report within 30 days of creation
Parties prohibited from changing dispute conditions from board creation through 30 days after report submission
Board records to be maintained by National Mediation Board after termination
Board terminates upon report submission

Timeline

Immediate

Emergency board established effective December 21, 2001
Status quo maintenance period begins preventing strikes or lockouts

Near term (90d)

Board must submit report to President by January 20, 2002
Board terminates automatically upon report submission
30-day cooling-off period continues after report submission

Long term

Potential for resumed labor dispute after board process concludes if parties remain at impasse

Risks & tensions

Temporary measure that does not resolve underlying dispute; merely delays potential work stoppage
Board effectiveness contingent on 'availability of funds' — potential uncertainty if appropriations constrained
Post-9/11 airline industry fragility may have amplified perceived threat to interstate commerce