BOSTON — A coalition of Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) unions, including those representing clerks, carmen, supervisors, signalmen and shopcraft workers, have been released by the National Mediation Board (NMB) from mediation.
The release paves the way for appointment of a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) to make settlement recommendations for a wage, benefits and work-rules contract settlement under provisions of the Railway Labor Act.
The coalition unions rejected an NMB offer of binding arbitration.
The UTU and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen are negotiating separately with the MBCR and are not included in the release. BLET members previously failed to ratify a tentative agreement, and the BLET and MBCR returned to the bargaining table.
Under special commuter railroad provisions of the RLA, a second PEB is possible if the sides cannot accept the recommendations of the first PEB. Self-help is not permitted until 30 days after a second PEB (should it be appointed) has made its recommendations.
(Note that Amtrak and freight railroads are governed by another provision of the RLA that provides for just a single PEB.)
Related News
- Make Plans to Attend a Regional Training Seminar Today!
- Tenacity Yields Strong Contract for Local 1909 School Bus Drivers
- Natick Station Reopens in Massachusetts
- Is Your Family Paying the Price for Your Job?
- Transit Funding Crisis Deepens
- Submit Your Local Pride T-Shirt Design Ideas by August 20!
- UPDATE: Hotel Reservation Deadline Extended for Anaheim Regional Training Seminar
- New SMART Union Mobile App Update Available
- Support SMART-TD Brother Who Lost His Leg in Denver Derailment
- Alaska Conductor Loses Second Child, Chairperson Asks for Our Support